Orangutans are led to safety in blankets as f ire rips through zoo
ORANGUTANS and gibbons were led to safety yesterday after their state-of-the-art enclosure at Chester Zoo burst into flames.
A rescue operation was launched when black smoke began billowing from the roof of the £ 40 million Monsoon Forest habitat shortly before noon.
All visitors, staff and dozens of animals were escorted from the 5,000 sq ft complex, the UK’s largest indoor zoo exhibit. The only casualty was a person treated for smoke inhalation.
One unconfirmed report said a number of orangutans were wrapped in blankets as they emerged from the complex into the freezing air outside.
But some of the animals being held within the 14-acre Monsoon Forest habitat may still be missing, it emerged last night.
A zoo spokesman said: ‘We are working hard to account for all other species, such as birds, and move animals to alternative habitats. Given that this is the UK’s largest zoo tropical house, this will take some time. The zoo’s experts will be working intensively in the coming days and weeks to do this.’
Chester Zoo is home to 21,000 animals and attracts 1.9 million visitors a year. Its sub-tropical Mon- soon Forest, opened three years ago, houses Sumatran orangutans, gibbons, macaque monkeys, turtles, snakes and crocodiles. It is covered by a vast plastic domed roof, much of which was destroyed in the fire.
Fifteen fire appliances were sent to tackle the blaze, which was brought under control by crews wearing breathing gear within three hours. The zoo remained closed for the rest of the day.
Visitor Antony Johnstone said: ‘As we walked around the side of the building, we could see all the animals outside. The fire had spread and lots of black smoke came pluming out.’
Staff are believed to have told one visitor the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault.
The Chester Zoo spokesman added: ‘ Visitors were evacuated immediately and our response team worked to help the emergency services to bring the situation under control.’