UWS Veterinary Hospital: Exotic Animals Killed In 'Horrendous Tragedy' After Pipe Bursts

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Some exotic animals were killed at an Upper West Side veterinary hospital Tuesday, after a hot water pipe burst inside its building.

As CBS2's Dave Carlin reported, the Center for Avian and Exotic Medicine, at 562 Columbus Ave., said the pipe broke around 6:30 a.m. Monday.

"When I came in, it was like a rainforest; really pouring down," said center manager Lorelei Tibbets.

The pipe explosion sent scalding water and steam into animal boarding areas, and ten exotic pets died.

"One of the coils that the hot water goes through to provide heat burst somehow," Tibbets told 1010 WINS. "And that just kind of started the whole flood."

Tibbets said staff members tried to enter the clinic when they first arrived, but weren't able to get inside.

While most of the animals were brought to safety, Tibbets said 10 did not survive. Among the dead were two rabbits, seven birds and a hedgehog, she said.

"A lot of our patients are small and heat sensitive and have delicate respiratory tracts, so things like steam and heat are extremely dangerous for them," Tibbets said.

Tibbets said all the owners have heard the news.

"They're taking it really horribly. I mean, it's tragic," she told WCBS 880's Alex Silverman.

But birds, rabbits, a guinea pig and a turtle were among many animals that survived. The largest and most colorful survivor was Jim the peacock, who has been at the center getting treated almost a year.

Jim the peacock was saved by the fact that he was on a high perch on the top of a dryer.

"While he's been recovering and sick, he's been up there," Tibbets said, "and it saved his life. If he hadn't been here if he'd been up there he would have died -- no doubt."

The center called the incident a "horrendous tragedy."

"Words cannot begin to express the devastation we feel," it said on its Facebook page. "The hospital has not only suffered the loss of patients, but also severe damage that will cause our closure until further notice."

Tibet said she is not sure how much the clinic's insurance will cover; the clinic has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money.

According to its website, the veterinary center is the only exclusive avian and exotic vet in New York City treating birds, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians and other exotic pets.

Temperatures in New York City hit near-record lows on Monday. By 7 a.m., Central Park hit 3 degrees -- just 2 degrees above the record set for the date in 1888.

Tuesday night turned out to be another evening where any amount of walking outside was fraught with frigid dangers. And it was not just people getting hurt over the course of the day. The worst part is the re-freezing -- people losing grips resulting in slips

"People don't really pay attention to where they're walking," said Dr. Robert Glatter of Lenox Hill Hospital. "We're seeing a lot of falls -- people coming in with some fractures; wrist fractures; finger injuries."

Until the icy danger dissolves, the area continues to struggle on the roads, sidewalks, and even inside our own homes and businesses.

It's unclear if the cold weather is to blame for the burst pipe at the veterinary clinic.

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• Upper West Side