Several animals killed in zoo fire

A fierce fire at a zoo has claimed the lives of a number of animals, including an otter, meerkats and reptiles.

The blaze broke out in the tropical house of the Five Sisters Zoo at Polbeth, West Calder, West Lothian, shortly before 4am on Sunday.

Around 50 firefighters tackled the blaze at its height and managed to stop it spreading to other enclosures at the attraction.

But the fire killed every creature in the tropical house, which contained a range of reptiles, invertebrates and small mammals.

A male otter in a neighbouring enclosure also died and two meerkats had to be put down because of their injuries. Nine meerkats are missing, feared dead, this evening.

Fire crews managed to rescue two dwarf west African crocodiles and the female otter. No people were injured.

The owners, staff and volunteers at the zoo were said to be distraught.

Lesley Coupar, of marketing and visitor services at the 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."

An investigation into the cause of the fire is being carried out.