Arson Fire Destroys ‘Kingdom Of Birds’

A fire blamed on arsonists gutted a two-story pet shop known as the “Kingdom of Birds” on Sunday, killing 4,000 sparrows, parrots, rare cockatoos and other birds.

Hundreds of cages with the birds’ remains were stacked in the shop, which was closed when the fire started. Other cages had been dragged outside, where a stench hung over the site.

The shop’s owner could not be reached for comment, but his brother, Aqeel Mahroon, said that several rare and expensive birds were killed, including cockatoos and toucans.

A government official, speaking on customary condition of anonymity, said the fire was started deliberately. He said there were no suspects.