Massive tank shatters at pet store, flooding facility and killing hundreds of fish | Video

FOX LAKE, Ill. -- A massive fish tank burst Monday afternoon at Somethin' Fishy Pets in Fox Lake, Illinois, sending 2,000 gallons of water rushing through the store and killing many of the more than 350 fish that were inside.

The pet store was closed when the tank broke, and the owners said they are not exactly sure what caused the failure. They believe a seam at the top of the tank may have given out without warning.

Video from inside the store shows the tank suddenly exploding.

"I was just carrying something over here, and you just hear, like, a loud break. I can't even describe the noise, and then a whole bunch of water rushing," co-owner Derric Johnson said.

Water poured across the floor as the owners worked to rescue the fish.

"We were in the parking lot scooping up fish as water's roaring out the foundation of the building. We did everything we could. Unfortunately, there was a lot lost, but we did save a couple dozen," co-owner Nicole Georgean said.

The tank had been a fixture of the business, which has served the community for nearly 30 years. According to the owners, the tank was built by the pet shop's former owner, and the current owners had been updating it before the incident occurred.

Most of the flood damage has been cleaned up, and community members have stepped in to help the business recover.

"Lots of people come here. They go see a movie, come here, see the display tank. This is actually the heart of our business; so it was absolutely devastating," Georgean said.

A family friend of the owners has started a GoFundMe campaign to help replace the tank. The owners also said customers and their landlord have offered assistance as the business works to rebuild after the loss.