London Zoo fire: Aardvark killed and four meerkats presumed dead as blaze breaks out at tourist attraction

An aardvark was killed and four meerkats are presumed dead after a fire ripped through part of London Zoo.

The large blaze tore through the Animal Adventure area of the popular tourist attraction, which is close to the meerkat enclosure at about 6am on Saturday.

Zoo workers and firefighters battled to rescue animals from a children’s petting zoo which houses alpacas, llamas, pigs, goats and rabbits as flames spread to a gift shop and café.

The zoo confirmed a nine-year-old aardvark named Misha died in the fire. It earlier said that four meerkats were missing, but has since added they are now presumed dead.

Flames lit up the night sky over Regents Park as firefighters tackled the large blaze
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Six members of staff were treated for smoke inhalation and a further two for minor injuries, London Ambulance Service said. One person was taken to hospital.

Seventy-two firefighters and ten fire engines battled the blaze which destroyed three-quarters of the café and shop and half of the building’s roof.

Photographs posted on social media showed bright orange flames and thick black smoke billowing into the air around the café. Others showed staff in tears as fire crews worked to extinguish the fire.

London Zoo employees comfort a colleague after a fire broke out
AFP/Getty Images

The tourist attraction will open tomorrow as normal as fire crews remained at the site while they investigated the cause of the fire today.

In its latest statement, the Zoo said: “Sadly our vets have confirmed the death of our nine-year-old aardvark, Misha. There are also four meerkats still unaccounted for, but we are now presuming these have also died.

“We are all naturally devastated by this, but are immensely grateful to the fire brigade, who reacted quickly to the situation to bring the fire under control.

Mischa the aardvark was killed in the fire
London Zoo

“It’s too soon to speculate on the cause of the fire but we will be working very closely with fire investigators over the coming days and weeks to ascertain the cause.

“The Zoo will be closed for the day and fire crews will remain on site for some time damping down. After consultation with fire experts attending today, we are confident that we can safely open the zoo tomorrow.”

Fire crews walk past llamas as they work to establish the cause of the blaze
AFP/Getty Images

The zoo, in Regent's Park in the north-west of the capital, is usually open every day except Christmas Day.

Firefighter and station Manager David George, who is attending the incident, said: "The fire mainly involved the café and shop but part of a nearby animal petting area was also affected."

"When they arrived our crews were faced with a very well developed fire. They worked incredibly hard in arduous conditions to bring it under control as quickly as possible and to stop it from spreading to neighbouring animal enclosures. Crews will remain at the scene throughout the morning damping down any remaining pockets of fire."

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