East Beaver Avenue turned into the State College zoo on Friday afternoon.

Caged hamsters, gerbils, iguanas, ferrets and other exotic animals stood alongside the avenue after being safely evacuated from Moyle's Tropical Fish & Pet Supply.

During the hectic pace of the morning rush, a kitchen stove was accidentally left on or shoved on accidentally by someone in Apartment 409 of Laurel Terrace Apartments, 323 E. Beaver Ave., said Stan Clouser, assistant fire chief of Alpha Fire Company.'

A washing or drying cloth next to the stove ignited the flames, he added.

Smoke signaled workers on the roof about the fire, while the smoke detector alarmed the residents of Laurel Terrace Apartments, and the merchants below the apartment building.

At about 1:30 p.m., Janie McCard, owner of University Perk coffee shop and Tammy Dunmire, manager of the shop, reported the fire to the Alpha Fire Company.

McCard and Dunmire said they heard the smoke alarm and focused their attention on getting the pet store evacuated.

Alpha Fire Company responded immediately and evacuated the building; officials roped off a portion of Beaver Avenue from Locust Lane to Hiester Street, causing road detours to commuters in the area.

The occupants of the apartment building and the stores below were evacuated successfully, as were all the pets except for the fish, Clouser said.

The small fire was contained in the apartment, causing extensive damage to the kitchen area and possible structural damage to the building, Clouser said.

University students and residents of the apartment Lauren Dwyer and Larena Lettow were not in the apartment at the time.

No injuries to firemen or residents were reported, Clouser said.