Visitors flee zoo blaze as staff rescue animals
Visitors were evacuated from Chester Zoo after a huge blaze broke out.
Firefighters worked to control the fire in the Monsoon Forest habitat area as staff led dozens of rare animals to safety.
Dramatic footage showed thick black smoke and flames ripping through the roof of an enclosure.
Eyewitness David Clough said high winds fanned the flames in the inflatable roof of the building, adding: “We were very worried for the people and animals that would have been in the building.”
The zoo said visitors were evacuated as teams worked to bring the situation under control.
Mr Clough, 50, who lives across the road from the zoo, said: “We first saw signs of the fire shortly after 11.30.
“The Monsoon Forest building in the zoo’s new Islands development was on fire.
“It has an inflatable roof that was burning. Lots of flames and smoke.”
He said: “Orangutans and gibbons are our nearest neighbours there, but there are many other animals, including free-flying birds.
“It was spreading across the roof in strong winds for a while.”
A zoo visitor who declined to be named said: “We were in the Monsoon enclosure when it happened and were rushed out due to an electrical fire.
“It spread very quickly.
“The staff ensured all the members of the public were safe.”
One person was treated for smoke inhalation.
The zoo said all animals were accounted for.