Fire kills at least 40 animals at Indiana wildlife sanctuary

CHARLESTOWN, Ind. (AP) - A barn fire has killed more than 40 animals at a southern Indiana wildlife sanctuary that's facing federal scrutiny.

Wildlife In Need owner Tim Stark tells WAVE-TV (http://bit.ly/1J2HGjz ) 41 animals, most of them birds and reptiles, died in Tuesday's fire at the Charlestown complex.

He says tigers and other large cats kept at the center about 15 miles northeast of Louisville, Kentucky, were not injured.

Inspections by the U.S. Department of Agriculture last fall found unsanitary conditions for animals at the nonprofit center that's known for fundraisers where people play with young tiger cubs.

Inspectors also found unsafe conditions for visitors.

Charlestown Assistant Fire Chief Andre' Heal says all of the center's animals were accounted for after the fire. The fire's cause remains under investigation.

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Information from: WAVE-TV, http://www.wave3.com