London Zoo fire: Seventy firefighters tackle cafe blaze

Image captionTen fire engines were sent to London Zoo to tackle the blaze at its height

More than 70 firefighters have been tackling a blaze at London Zoo.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) said the fire that spread to most of the Adventure Cafe and shop, which contains an animal petting area, was now under control.

The zoo said an aardvark was "currently unaccounted for" and a number of its staff had been treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and shock.

London Zoo tweeted it would be shut "until further notice". The cause of the fire is not yet known.

Ten fire engines were called to the zoo, which sits in the capital's Regent's Park, shortly after 06:00 GMT and the fire was brought under control about three hours later.
Image copyrightBRENDAN COONEY/REUTERSImage captionPhotographs posted on social media showed orange flames rising from the building
Image copyrightLONDON FIRE BRIGADEImage captionThe fire service said they did not believe any animals were involved in the blaze

In a statement the zoo said the blaze started in its Animal Adventure section and spread to the adjacent shop.

It said duty staff who live on site were on the scene "immediately" and started moving animals to safety.

It added: "Our staff are now in the process of assessing the situation in difficult conditions. At present one aardvark is currently unaccounted for.

"We are immensely grateful to the fire brigade, who reacted quickly to the situation to bring the fire under control. "
Image copyrightOWEN NEWMAN/ NATUREPL.COMImage captionThe zoo said an aardvark, like the one pictured here, was currently missing
Image copyrightCHARLIE BARD
Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES

Station Manager Clive Robinson, who is at the scene, said three-quarters of the cafe and shop had been affected by the fire and half of the roof.

He said: "Part of nearby animal petting area was also affected although at this stage we don't know if any animals were involved.

"Firefighters worked hard to bring the fire under control as quickly as possible and to stop it from spreading to neighbouring animal enclosures.

"Crews will remain at the scene throughout the morning damping down any remaining pockets of fire."

A number of London Zoo staff were treated for smoke inhalation and shock after the fire, Mr Robinson added.