LEON VALLEY, Texas -- The Leon Valley Fire Department temporarily shut down the San Antonio Aquarium Wednesday morning just before noon.
- Officials cited unsecured propane tanks and heaters
- Potentional carbon monoxide and flammable gas build-up
- General manager said they hope to re-open soon
“Through regular inspection we’ve found devices that produce carbon monoxide, and we’ve shut them down for that,” said Leon Valley Fire Chief Michael Naughton.
The fire department said unsecure propane tanks and heaters created the risk of leaking carbon monoxide and flammable gas.
“The immediate life-threatening issues, the beginning of them has been resolved. That takes away the immediate threat, but there’s still some threats that need to be fixed,” Naughton said.
But the aquarium insists it had brand new propane tanks, used outdoors to help keep the birds and ostriches warm during the winter.
“All of our animals are good, we’ve taken care of them. We’ve got members of our husbandry team in house. They’re making sure everybody is fed, making sure water quality is great and that everything has what it needs,” said Jen Spellman, San Antonio Aquarium General Manager.
“Our goal is to get them open, not to keep them closed. We just need to make sure that the building is safe for people and safe for the animals,” Naughton said.
The next step is for Leon Valley city officials to meet with the aquarium’s attorneys and management.
The aquarium said it hopes to reopen by Friday at the latest.