Latest update following ‘major incident’ at Chester Zoo today

News and Info from Deeside, Flintshire, North Wales

This article is old - Published: Saturday, Dec 15th, 2018

Emergency services were called to large fire at Chester Zoo just before 11.30am this morning, Saturday December 15.

The blaze was in the Monsoon Forest Habitat on the site, which is the UK’s largest zoo building.

Due to the scale of the fire this was declared a major incident, a statement says.

15 fire appliances were sent to the zoo, crews wearing breathing apparatus and using main jets – brought the fire under control and it has now been extinguished the fire service has said.

Firefighters remain at the scene to dampen down.

One person was reported to have suffered minor smoke inhalation, there are no reports of any other injuries.

The zoo’s teams are now assessing the situation. They have confirmed that critically endangered Sumatran orangutans and other mammals are all accounted for and being looked after by the zoo specialist conservationists and vets.

Zoo officials have thanked the public for the “many, many messages of public support”

Detective Superintendent Pete Shaw said: “Emergency services remain at the scene and we are continuing to work alongside staff at the zoo.

“I would like to reassure people that there is no risk to public safety as a result of this incident.

Every effort has been made to minimise disruption in the local area and I would also like to thank members of the public for their co-operation and understanding.

I would also like to thank staff at the zoo for their swift response and for all of their help and assistance in bringing this situation under control.”

A spokesperson for Chester Zoo said:

“We can confirm that the fire service are still in attendance at our Monsoon Forest habitat after today’s fire. The fire has now been extinguished, but fire fighters will remain on site throughout the night alongside the zoo’s experts.

Visitors were evacuated immediately and the zoo’s response team worked alongside the emergency services to help bring the situation under control. The cause of the fire is currently unknown, but we will be helping the relevant authorities with the investigation that will take place over the coming days and weeks.

The zoo’s teams are now assessing the situation inside Monsoon Forest. Critically endangered Sumatran orangutans and other mammals are all accounted for and being looked after by the zoo specialist conservationists and vets.

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.

The zoo’s The Lanterns event this evening has been cancelled and ticket holders notified by email.

The zoo would like the thank the emergency services for their swift response. Thank you also to the many, many messages of public support.”

4 engines on site – failed and smoke pic.twitter.com/slHBPwfOzh

— David Alan Wearing (@DWearing1972) December 15, 2018

Oh gosh!! Fire @chesterzoo staff and keepers working hard to deal – hope the animals are all OK!!! It started as a little fire in the which we saw but it’s obviously much worse now!!! pic.twitter.com/GWa6X0Wxa9

— Sophie Flynn (@EssexFLO) December 15, 2018

Chester zoo fire seems to be getting worse….The fire has broken through in multiple places…. Tragic news …Hope all staff..firefighters..Animals and visitors are ok pic.twitter.com/T64VpnLZEO

— FYJ Joinery (@FYJJoinery) December 15, 2018

Big fire at @chesterzoo Really hope staff, visitors, and animals are getting out. pic.twitter.com/BJEoTCcdJt

— David Clough (@DLClough) December 15, 2018