NJ Pet Store Collapses

Authorities think everyone who was inside a New Jersey pet supply store when its roof collapsed has been rescued. But they're bringing search dogs in, just in case customers are still trapped inside.

Five people, including four employees, are in critical condition at hospitals in Eatontown.

A damaged gas line outside the Petco triggered an explosion that caused the first floor of the one-story building to pancake down into the basement.

The store's employees evacuated customers when they learned of the broken gas line from a construction worker. A Petco spokesman says they were evacuating the animals when the explosion occurred.

Two of the six people who had been inside the Petco store were taken to a hospital, Police Capt. George Jackson said in a broadcast interview. The other four are believed to be trapped.

In addition, about 100 to 200 small animals and fish were likely inside the store at the time of the blast, said Ursula Goetz, director of the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. She said the store sold exotic birds, guinea pigs, ferrets, gerbils and mice.

The explosion occurred as employees were evacuating customers and animals after construction workers damaged an unmarked gas line outside the store and then smelled gas, Petco spokesman Shawn Underwood said.

He said a female manager who was trapped in the basement used her cell phone to direct rescuers to her. It wasn't immediately known if she was still trapped.

Eatontown is about 40 miles south of Newark near the Atlantic coast.