Fire crews tackle blaze at London Zoo cafe

Firefighters have battled to extinguish a large blaze at a London Zoo cafe.

The London Fire Brigade said 70 firefighters and ten fire engines had worked to put out the fire at a cafe and shop area of the park, which is close to the meerkat enclosure.

A spokeswoman for the LFB said: ‘Approximately three quarters of an adventure café and shop and half of the roof [was] alight.

‘An animal petting area is nearby.’

 

It is not yet clear how the fire started, but dozens of firefighters are battling to put it out 

The London Fire Brigade said 70 firefighters and ten fire engines were working to put out at the fire at the cafe and shop area of the park

The London Fire Brigade said 70 firefighters and ten fire engines were working to put out at the fire at the cafe and shop area of the park

Flashing blue lights of fire trucks could been seen inside the zoo as at least three engines waited outside

Flashing blue lights of fire trucks could been seen inside the zoo as at least three engines waited outside

The blaze is understood to have taken around two hours to get under control and has left the air surrounding the top end of the park thick with smoke and burning plastic

The blaze is understood to have taken around two hours to get under control and has left the air surrounding the top end of the park thick with smoke and burning plastic

A spokeswoman for the LFB said: 'Approximately half of an adventure cafe and shop, which also contains an animal petting area, is currently alight.' Pictured: The fire being extinguished after dawn

A spokeswoman for the LFB said: ‘Approximately half of an adventure cafe and shop, which also contains an animal petting area, is currently alight.’ Pictured: The fire being extinguished after dawn

The spokeswoman added: 'It is not known if any animals are involved at this stage.' Pictured: Firefighters go into the cafe after dawn

The spokeswoman added: ‘It is not known if any animals are involved at this stage.’ Pictured: Firefighters go into the cafe after dawn

The firefighters can be seen tackling the huge blaze at the zoo

The firefighters can be seen tackling the huge blaze at the zoo

She added: ‘It is not known if any animals are involved at this stage.’ 

The zoo, which is based in Regent’s Park in North London, tweeted this morning: ‘ZSL is currently dealing with an incident on site.’ 

Flashing blue lights of fire trucks could been seen inside the zoo as at least three engines waited outside.

The blaze is understood to have taken around two hours to get under control and has left the air surrounding the top end of the park thick with smoke and burning plastic.

A dog walker said: ‘I could smell the fire from Camden Town, I thought it was going to be a huge blaze but it seems like they’ve got it, so I’m quite pleased.’   

ZSL people press officer Emma Edwards said: ‘The fire is in the adventure shop and cafe and the closest animals are in the children’s zoo, a petting zoo with meerkats, porcupines, goats, pigs and other farmyard animals.’ 

It is not yet clear how the fire started.

The zoo, in North London, is one of the capital's most popular attractions. Pictured: The fire brigade on the scene 

The zoo, in North London, is one of the capital’s most popular attractions. Pictured: The fire brigade on the scene 

Pictured: Four firefighters on the scene with a hose 

Pictured: Four firefighters on the scene with a hose 

Firefighters are battling to extinguish a blaze at London Zoo

Firefighters are battling to extinguish a blaze at London Zoo

The fire brigade was called at 6.08am. 

Fire crews from Kentish Town, Paddington, Euston, West Hampstead and other stations were sent to the scene.

An aerial ladder was also used to fight the blaze.



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