Tennessee Gift Shop Burns, Live Bears Safe

A fire destroyed a gift shop in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. but did not harm five bears that were kept there.

WBIR-TV in Knoxville reported the fire broke out shortly before 4 a.m. EDT on Sept. 23 at the 3 Bears gift shop.

Firefighters reported flames shooting 50 feet into the air when they arrived. The building was destroyed.

The northbound lanes of the parkway in the Smoky Mountains gateway city were closed because of the amount of fire apparatus that responded.

The station reported the live bears were safe in their concrete den behind the building and animal control officers were caring for them.

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Information from: WBIR-TV, http://www.wbir.com/