Water main break causes deaths of some animals at Tennessee aquarium

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A Tennessee aquarium has reported the deaths of some animals after a water main break.

A water main break that happened Thursday evening in Chattanooga affected the Tennessee Aquarium, aquarium spokesman Thom Benson said. All staff were called to the aquarium to assist, he told WTVC-TV.

The aquarium was closed Thursday as staff tried to save the animals.

"Unfortunately, we did lose four fish, some urchins, Anemones, and sea stars in our Vancouver Island exhibit," Benson said in a statement. "These animals are very sensitive to warming waters and did not respond to attempts to chill the tank with ice."

Staff put ice in many exhibits to keep the animals comfortable. Some animals were moved to other exhibits, and air stones were added to the "Secret Reef" exhibit to help with oxygen levels, Benson told WTVC-TV.

Aquarium staff have restored the facility's chillers, and Benson said the situation "drastically improved" Thursday. The Chattanooga Fire Department has helped aquarium staff pump water from the building's ground level to the top level.

The aquarium will reopen once the water line is repaired, Benson said.

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