This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-46579083
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 4 | Version 5 |
---|---|
Fire at Chester Zoo leads to evacuation of visitors | Fire at Chester Zoo leads to evacuation of visitors |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Visitors were evacuated from Chester Zoo when a large fire broke out in one of its attractions. | Visitors were evacuated from Chester Zoo when a large fire broke out in one of its attractions. |
The zoo tweeted the blaze was in its Monsoon Forest habitat. | The zoo tweeted the blaze was in its Monsoon Forest habitat. |
One person was treated for the effects of smoke inhalation but there were no other reports of injuries. Fifteen fire crews have been tackling the blaze. | |
In a statement, the zoo said: "Sumatran orangutans and other mammals are all accounted for. We are working hard to account for all other species." | |
Police said the fire was reported just before 11:30 GMT. | |
Some zoo visitors tweeted images from the scene including Sophie Flynn, who said staff were "working hard to deal" with the fire, which "happened very quickly". | |
"It started as a little fire... which we saw but it's obviously much worse now!" | |
David Clough, who lives across the road from the zoo, said: "We first saw signs of the fire shortly after 11.30 GMT." | David Clough, who lives across the road from the zoo, said: "We first saw signs of the fire shortly after 11.30 GMT." |
He added: "It was spreading across the roof in strong winds for a while. | He added: "It was spreading across the roof in strong winds for a while. |
"Lots of fire engines arrived quickly. | |
"We were very worried for the people and animals that would have been in the building." | "We were very worried for the people and animals that would have been in the building." |
The zoo tweeted to say it had closed the whole site, adding: "Visitors have been evacuated and our response team is working alongside emergency services to bring the situation under control." | |
At the scene: Gerry Jackson, BBC News | |
Flames were fanned by today's very strong winds and raced across the roof of the Monsoon Forest enclosure. | |
As hundreds of visitors were being evacuated from the wider premises, zoo staff were leading threatened animals to safety. | |
The zoo has closed and we have no indication of when it will reopen. | |
Of course an investigation has begun into the cause of the fire. | |
Even though visitor numbers would have been much lower on a day of bad weather like today, this is obviously a very dramatic event for one of northern England's premier attractions. | |
The Monsoon Forest habitat is the UK's largest zoological building, according to the attraction, and opened as part of the zoo's islands section in August 2015. | The Monsoon Forest habitat is the UK's largest zoological building, according to the attraction, and opened as part of the zoo's islands section in August 2015. |
The 14-acre section houses Sumatran orangutans, rhinoceros hornbills, crocodiles and a variety of plant species. | The 14-acre section houses Sumatran orangutans, rhinoceros hornbills, crocodiles and a variety of plant species. |
It has its own tropical weather conditions, with temperatures reaching 26.6C to replicate conditions in South East Asia. | It has its own tropical weather conditions, with temperatures reaching 26.6C to replicate conditions in South East Asia. |
Chester Zoo officially opened in 1931 and is the UK's most visited zoo, drawing nearly two million visitors annually. | |
It has more than 21,000 animals of 500 different species and has been the subject of many TV programmes including the BBC's Our Zoo drama in 2014. | It has more than 21,000 animals of 500 different species and has been the subject of many TV programmes including the BBC's Our Zoo drama in 2014. |
The venue says it plays a significant part in wildlife conservation, helping to save endangered species. | The venue says it plays a significant part in wildlife conservation, helping to save endangered species. |