Fish vs. Fire : Co-Owner of Store in Reseda Scrambles to Save 700 Aquarium Species From Electrical Blaze

Joe Zangwill stumbled around the dark, smoked-filled building and climbed over piles of waterlogged debris, cradling a cracked 10-gallon aquarium containing multicolored gravel, plastic plants and a conch shell.

Outside, he stacked the empty tank next to other fire-damaged equipment--thermometers, filters, assorted water and air pumps, ceramic castles, more fish tanks.

“Hey, where’s the fish fry?� a passer-by shouted.

Zangwill, 27, didn’t think it was funny. His only concern was evacuating the thousands of saltwater and freshwater fish that had survived an electrical fire at California Aquarium in Reseda Friday morning.

Fire in Empty Store

The blaze started about 8:30 a.m., before employees arrived at the fish store in the 7300 block of Reseda Boulevard. Firefighters put out the blaze within 24 minutes. But the heat, at least 250 degrees, began to melt thermometers and hoses, and the endless rows of glass tanks that contained 700 fish varieties started to crack, said Zangwill, a co-owner of the store.

Structural and content damage--including lost fish--was estimated at $200,000, authorities said, but Zangwill said it will be days before he knows how many fish survive.

“We managed to save a majority of saltwater fish, but we are going to have a big loss on the freshwater fish,� Zangwill said. “We had to evacuate the saltwater fish first, because they are the most expensive and must be kept in water of 76 degrees.�

The fish were placed in plastic bags and buckets filled with clean water for transport to a fish hatchery in Inglewood.

Zangwill said the damage might have been worse if firefighters had not shut off the building’s power. He explained that, if the air pumps had been working, they would have circulated smoke and soot through the tanks.

The smell of smoke--mixed with the stench of dead fish--permeated the building.

Taking his place in an assembly line of about 15 employees and friends, Zangwill used a net to scoop up guppies, mollies, goldfish and platies as they swam around frantically in their sooty, scorched tanks.

“It’s too early to tell how the stress and smoke affected their respiratory system. We lost an eight-pound Australian black-tip shark valued at $600 because we didn’t have a container large enough to transport it in properly,� Zangwill said.

Several clean tanks for freshwater fish were set up behind the store, equipped with air pumps rigged to a generator lent by a nearby car dealer, Kolbe Honda. But, by 4:30 p.m., as dusk approached, Zangwill told two employees to start giving fish away. “The temperature is dropping too fast. They will not be able to survive the changes,� he said.

Started 30 Years Ago

The family-owned business was started 30 years ago by Zangwill’s father, Eddie Zangwill, who operates it with sons Joe and Phil.

Until he consolidated operations at the Reseda store, which opened 15 years ago, Eddie Zangwill operated four aquariums in the Valley, Joe Zangwill said.

He said his father arrived as the fire was being put out and could not bear to stay.

“At this point, my brother Phil and I just want to complete the evacuation, take inventory and begin rebuilding as soon as possible. Our father started the business, and we intend to keep it going, “ he said.