Animals were taken out of The Ark two by two to keep them safe from carbon monoxide that overtook the building.

Thursday, when a fire broke out in some cooking equipment at The Pizza Kitchens, 120 Hayward Ave., The Ark, 118 Hayward Ave., had to be evacuated.

Small animals, reptiles and birds were taken from the store when the carbon monoxide count was measured at 10 times the safe levels.

Carbon monoxide levels are measured to suit the needs of humans, but David Metcalf, owner of The Ark, said birds are more sensitive to their surroundings.

“All of the small animals and reptiles were removed and we shut off the fish pumps so they weren’t sucking in bad air,” he said.

Metcalf said fire officials warned him about the carbon monoxide, and he immediately started taking the animals outside.

“We needed help and within moments, we had 14 or 15 people helping move the animals,” Metcalf said. “Though, I don’t think that level [of carbon monoxide] is unusual for a fire scene.”

He said employees of Copyworks, 105 Welch Ave., animal control and students from the College of Veterinary Medicine, as well as friends and customers, came to move the animals out of danger.

The birds were taken to the College of Veterinary Medicine because they could offer a controlled environment. Metcalf said if set outside like the other animals, the birds would have gotten very stressed out.

“The small animals were put in the shade with fans blowing on them and the reptiles were caged and put in the back of a vehicle because they like the heat anyway,” he said.

John Crawford, general manager of Copyworks, let about six of his employees help evacuate the animals. He said some of his employees went to investigate the smoke and volunteered to help out.

“By that time, the fire department and animal control were also there,” he said.

Crawford said his employees automatically pitched in and didn’t wait until someone told them what to do.

“We’re kind of like neighbors,” Crawford said. “I feel like if we had the same situation, they would have helped us too.”

Crawford said the actions the Copyworks employees took are just “part of working side by side.”

The fire was declared out at 11:45 a.m. and 25 Ames Fire Department personnel worked at the fire. The Pizza Kitchens will remain closed indefinitely.