Animals Killed In Zoo Blaze

A number of animals have died after a fire broke out at a zoo near Edinburgh at the weekend.

The blaze spread through the reptile house of the Five Sisters Zoo in West Lothian in the early hours of Sunday morning.

At least two meerkats and an otter are among the animals killed, while nine further meerkats are missing and feared dead.

Fire fighters managed to save a female otter and two crocodiles from the enclosure.

No people were injured in the fire, but the owners, staff and volunteers at the zoo were said to be distraught.

Lesley Coupar, of marketing and visitor services at Five Sisters Zoo, said: "We are devastated. It's the worst nightmare.

"We're in the business of rescuing animals, giving a safe haven to animals. Although the animals are wild, we know them intimately and it's just such a tragedy. The owners are distraught, as are the staff and volunteers."

The fire was described as "fierce" and took 11 fire engines and around 50 firefighters several hours to bring it under control. The alarm was raised just before 4am, by which time the tropical house was described as "well alight".

Crews were hampered by high winds and had to use lines of hose to stop the fire spreading to neighbouring buildings.

In a statement, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said it had been able to rescue some animals during the blaze.

It said: "Firefighters were able to help them rescue two dwarf crocodiles and an otter but sadly some animals have perished in the fierce fire.

"Full details of the animals affected will not be available for some time until it is safe for zoo staff to access affected areas."

The privately-owned zoo was established in 2005 and is home to some 130 species of animals.

The fire service added that an investigation into the cause of the fire will now take place.

(JP/CD)