London Zoo has reopened following a deadly blaze that killed an aardvark named Misha and left four meerkats missing presumed dead.
An investigation is under way after half of a children’s petting enclosure was gutted by the fire which engulfed a nearby gift shop, London Fire Brigade revealed.
The fire began in the Animal Adventure section of the zoo and destroyed the gift shop and cafe and could have quickly spread into the animal enclosures if quick-thinking keepers living on site had not raised the alarm.
Eight people were treated for shock and smoke inhalation after the blaze tore through an enclosure at the park on Saturday morning.
Desperate staff are believed to have risked their lives by smashing through glass in an attempt to save meerkats and other animals.
The four missing meerkats, named Robbie, Norman, Billy and Nigel, were brothers, born at the zoo in 2011, and ‘well-loved by everyone for their friendly, curious nature’ according to a spokesman.
The female aardvark died following the 6am inferno.
Today police and the fire brigade were continuing to probe what sparked the fire and customers were pictured queuing up outside as the zoo reopened.
London Zoo reopened today following a blaze on Saturday that killed up to five animals. Customers were pictured queuing up outside the attraction this morning
The fire began in the Animal Adventure section of the zoo and destroyed the gift shop and cafe and could have quickly spread into the animal enclosures if quick thinking keepers living on site had not raised the alarm. The zoo reopened today
One customer was pictured walking past a poster for the zoo, advertising meerkats, four of which are now feared dead. The blaze also killed an aardvark named Misha
A zoo employee was checking out tickets as customers entered the attraction. The zoo reopened its doors just a day after a blaze tore through one of the enclosures
One aardvark – named as nine-year-old Misha – died following the 6am inferno, which began in the Animal Adventure section of the park before spreading to a gift shop and cafe. Pictured: The fire being extinguished earlier this morning
Four meerkats, meanwhile, have also been reported missing and are presumed dead. Pictured: Three of the little mammals that remain unaccounted for after the tragic blaze
Four meerkats, meanwhile, have also been reported missing. Pictured: Misha, who has died after the shocking fire at London Zoo
An upset member of London Zoo’s staff is hugged by a fellow worker after the shocking blaze. Many members of staff were treated for smoke inhalation after the fire
The zoo said: ‘Duty staff that live on site at the zoo were on the scene immediately, and started moving animals to safety’. Pictured: The roof smoking after being extinguished
Pictured: Smashed glass at the entrance to the meerkat enclosure after dozens of firefighters battled to extinguish a blaze at London Zoo yesterday
Desperate zookeepers are believed to have risked life and limb smashing their way through the glass at the meerkat enclosure to save the cute critters – as the neighbouring cafe was being gutted by fire
The zoo, which is based in Regent’s Park in North London closed for the day but has now reopened. Pictured: Zookeepers move animals after the disastrous fire
Llamas stand in their enclosure as firefighters remain on the scene following the devastating fire in London Zooyesterday
Gamze Yildiz, 30, said: ‘I was planning to go to the zoo today so this is really sad. I was scared that the zoo might get burned down when I heard about it but I’m very pleased they have got it out.’ Pictured: The aftermath of the blaze
The London Fire Brigade said 72 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
Keepers who live at the zoo are believed to have sprung into action immediately to get as many animals to safety as they could.
Misha, who was nine, died during the fire. Four other animals – meerkats – are missing feared dead
The zoo was opened after ‘consultation with fire experts’, it said in a statement.
Misha was born at The Royal Burgers’ Zoo in the Netherlands and arrived in London in 2008.
A London Zoo spokesman said: ‘She was a great favourite of both zookeepers and visitors alike, both for her impressive digging abilities and friendly and gentle nature.’
Specialists are now keeping a close eye on all animals inside the Animal Adventure enclosure amid fears they may have inhaled smoke.
The zoo explained in a statement: ‘Sadly our vets have confirmed the death of our nine-year-old aardvark, Misha. There are also four meerkats unaccounted for at this stage, and we have limited access to site to confirm this.
‘We are all naturally devastated by this. It’s too soon to speculate on the cause but we will be working very closely with fire investigators over the coming days and weeks to ascertain the cause.
‘All other animals in the vicinity are being monitored closely by our vets, but early signs suggest they have not been affected. We will continue to monitor them over the coming days.’
The fire was under control by 9.16am.
A London Zoo spokesperson added: ‘ZSL London Zoo can confirm that at approximately 6am on Saturday 23 December a fire broke out in the Animal Adventure section of the Zoo, and spread to an adjacent shop.
‘Duty staff that live on site at the zoo were on the scene immediately, and started moving animals to safety.
‘The London Fire Brigade were on the scene within minutes and the fire was brought under control by 9:16am.
The London Fire Brigade said 72 firefighters and ten fire engines were working to put out at the fire at the cafe and shop area of the park
Fire crews from Kentish Town, Paddington, Euston, West Hampstead and other stations were sent to the scene
Flashing blue lights of fire trucks could been seen inside the zoo as at least three engines waited outside
Firefighters at Adventure cafe and shop near the Meerkat enclosure at London Zoo where there was a blaze earlier today
London Zoo have refused to comment on how many animals and which breeds live in the Animal Adventure section
Smoke rises above London Zoo in a photograph taken from Primrose Hill just before dawn this morning
‘A number of zoo staff have been treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and shock.
‘Our staff are now in the process of assessing the situation in difficult conditions.
‘We are immensely grateful to the fire brigade, who reacted quickly to the situation to bring the fire under control.’
The blaze is understood to have taken around three hours to get under control and has left the air surrounding the top end of the park thick with smoke and burning plastic
The firefighters can be seen tackling the huge blaze at the zoo
The zoo, in North London, is one of the capital’s most popular attractions. Pictured: The fire brigade on the scene
A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade added: ‘Ten fire engines and 72 firefighters and officers were called to a fire at a café and shop at London Zoo this morning.
‘The adventure café and shop were destroyed by the blaze, along with around half of an adjacent petting zoo.
‘Crews remained at the scene throughout the morning damping down remaining pockets of fire.
‘Sadly London Zoo confirmed that a much loved arrdvark called Misha died in the fire. Four meerkats are also missing, and are now presumed to have died.
‘During the incident one firefighter suffered a minor wrist injury and was taken to hospital as a precaution.
‘Five others were also assessed on the scene by London Ambulance Service but remained on duty. A number of Zoo staff were also treated.
‘The Brigade was called at 0608 and the fire was under control by 0916. Fire crews from Kentish Town, Paddington, Euston, West Hampstead and other surrounding fire stations were at the scene.
‘The cause of the fire is under investigation.’
The zoo was closed while vets worked to ensure the safety of all 2,000 animals. Pictured: A photograph of Misha in happier times
Tributes poured in for Misha on social media, with many people also hoping for the safe return of the meerkats. Steve Clode (pictured) wrote ‘RIP Misha’
Dominic Jermey, director general for ZSL, said some staff were treated for smoke inhalation and shock. But most posts on social media were about the animal victims of the fire
Members of the public walking through Regents Park were devastated at how much of the site had been destroyed. Members of the public online were equally devastated by the death of Misha the aardvark
Many people online said they would pray for the safe return of the missing four meerkats, who London Zoo staff are still searching for
The blaze is understood to have taken around three hours to get under control and has left the air surrounding the top end of the park thick with smoke and burning plastic. Pictured: A lamentation for the fire’s victims on Twitter
Other users stressed that the animals are the primary victims of the fire and criticised those who expressed sympathy for the humans affected
London Zoo has refused to comment on how many animals live in the Animal Adventure section.
Dominic Jermey, director general for ZSL, said some staff were treated for smoke inhalation and shock.
Mr Jermey said: ‘Given the circumstances they are fine but they, like all of us, are absolutely devastated by this incident today.’
All other animals in the vicinity of the blaze are being monitored by vets, and early signs suggest they have not been affected.
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
Members of the public walking through Regent’s Park were devastated after the fire.
Gamze Yildiz, 30, said: ‘I was planning to go to the zoo today so this is really sad.
‘I was scared that the zoo might get burned down when I heard about it but I’m very pleased they have got it out.
‘I imagine the staff and animals now need some time to get over this, but perhaps I will come tomorrow.’
The London Fire Brigade said 72 firefighters and ten fire engines had worked to put out the fire.
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.’
She added: ‘It is not known if any animals are involved at this stage.’
Pictured: Four firefighters on the scene with a hose. An aerial ladder was also used to fight the blaze, the fire brigade said
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’
The zoo, which is based in Regent’s Park in North London, was closed yesterday while the fire was investigated.
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 three hours to get under control and has left the air surrounding the top end of the park thick with smoke and burning plastic.
During the blaze, one firefighter suffered a wrist injury and was taken to hospital. Five other firefighters were assessed on the scene by paramedics but remained on duty.
Specialists are now keeping a close eye on all animals inside the Animal Adventure enclosure amid fears they may have inhaled smoke
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.’
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, the fire brigade said.