10 animals killed in fire at African Safari Wildlife Park in Ohio

Inferno kills three giraffes, three hogs, and four antelope as fire rips through barn at Ohio safari park, sending some of the 300 exotic animals running for their lives

  • Ten animals have been killed in a horror barn fire at the African Safari Wildlife Park in Port Clinton, Ohio Thursday evening 
  • The blaze broke out in a heated barn at the wildlife park around 6.15pm
  • Fire officials say three bongos, three giraffes, three red river hogs and a springbok housed in the barn are believed to be dead
  • Park co-owner Holly Hunt said the other 300 animals are accounted for
  • A caretaker first reported the fire after a power flicker took place on the property
  • The zoo facility briefly lost power on Wednesday 
  • Animals at park are housed in the heated barn overnight during winter months
  • The fire is still not contained but firefighters are on the scene

Ten exotic animals have been killed in a horror barn fire at an Ohio zoo, that sent giraffes and antelopes running for cover.  

The blaze broke out at the African Safari Wildlife Park in Port Clinton at 6.15pm at a barn in the wildlife park. 

Fire officials say three bongos, three giraffes, three red river hogs and a springbok housed in the barn and were thought to be dead. Springboks and Bongos are types of antelope.

When first responders arrived on the seen they found a zebra running lose, a giraffe at a nearby pond and the barn engulfed in flames, according to the Toledo Blade. Those animals were later safely captured.

Harrowing video of the inferno shows the moment African giraffes run on the zoo property to escape the growing fire as smoke plumes rise in the air.  

As of Thursday evening the fire is still not fully contained and firefighters are on the scene to tackle the flames. 

Ten exotic animals have been killed in a horror barn fire at the African Safari Wildlife Park in Port Clinton, Ohio Thursday evening 

Harrowing video of the inferno shows the moment African giraffes run on the zoo property to escape the growing fire as smoke plumes rise in the air

Harrowing video of the inferno shows the moment African giraffes run on the zoo property to escape the growing fire as smoke plumes rise in the air

The cause of the fire in under investigation. No humans were injured in the blaze.  The Ohio State Fire Marshal will visit the park on Friday to investigate the cause of the blaze.

Park co-owner Holly Hunt told CNN there are 300 other animals in the 100-acre park and they’ve all been accounted for.  

Hunt said that a caretaker initially spotted the fire on Thursday after a power flicker on the property. 

She said the facility briefly lost power on Wednesday. 

According to Danbury Township Police Officer Carolyn Demore the park’s manager/gamekeeper who lived there was the only person on the property at the time of the blaze. 

Firefighters found propane tanks stored inside the barn, Danbury Township Fire Chief Keith Kahler said.   

The park shared this statement Thursday night saying: 'We are grateful that our staff is safe and no one was injured, but the loss of the wildlife that we care for every day is tragic for our team members who love these animals'

The park shared this statement Thursday night saying: ‘We are grateful that our staff is safe and no one was injured, but the loss of the wildlife that we care for every day is tragic for our team members who love these animals’

The zoo was closed on Thursday for the Thanksgiving holiday. The zoo, established in 1969, just celebrated its 50th season in 2018. The zoo boasts more than 50 different animal species such as alpacas, giraffes, kangaroos, zebras, warthogs, and a white alligator

The zoo was closed on Thursday for the Thanksgiving holiday. The zoo, established in 1969, just celebrated its 50th season in 2018. The zoo boasts more than 50 different animal species such as alpacas, giraffes, kangaroos, zebras, warthogs, and a white alligator 

The park was scheduled to be closed on Thanksgiving, according to its website. 

Officials are still assessing the loss of wildlife. Animals were housed in the heated barn for overnight care and security. 

The zoo shared a statement announcing the fire Thursday evening.

‘Our African Safari Wildlife Park team is devastated by the loss of animals housed in a barn destroyed by fire that was discovered early Thanksgiving evening. We are grateful that our staff is safe and no one was injured, but the loss of the wildlife that we care for every day is tragic for our team members who love these animals,’ the statement said.   

The zoo, established in 1969, just celebrated its 50th season in 2018. The zoo boasts more than 50 different animal species such as alpacas, giraffes, kangaroos, zebras, warthogs, and a white alligator.  

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk