Firefighters Tackle Blaze At Scottish Zoo

A fire has ripped through part of a Scottish zoo, killing a sustantial number of reptiles and insects.

The blaze began in the early hours at the reptile house of the Five Sisters Zoo at Polbeth in West Lothian and quickly took hold.

Described as "fierce", it took 11 fire engines and around 50 firefighters several hours to bring it under control.

The alarm was raised at just before 4am by which time the tropical house was described as "well alight".

Crews were hampered by high winds and had to use lines of hose to stop the fire spreading to neighbouring buildings.

No-one was injured in the fire - which has now been extinguished - but many animals in the single-storey building perished.

The olive green steel-clad building was scorched and buckled by the heat

As well as the reptiles and insects, an otter is also believed to have died.

Lesley Coupar, head of marketing and visitor services at the zoo said: "We are devastated. It's the worst nightmare."

"We're in the business of rescuing animals, giving a safe haven to animals - to look now at the shell of the reptile house and everything gone from there.

"The owners are obviously distraught, as are we all. We're all animal lovers."

On Saturday, Ms Coupar had posted a message on the zoo's website saying: "Hey! If you are not busy today, why not come and 'hang' out at the zoo, suns out and so are the animals:)"

The blaze appeared to destroy sections 3, 4 and 6 at the zoo

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said it had been able to rescue some animals during the blaze.

"Firefighters were able to help them rescue two dwarf crocodiles and an otter but sadly some animals have perished in the fierce fire," it said.

"Full details of the animals affected will not be available for some time until it is safe for zoo staff to access affected areas."

Officers described it as a "fierce fire" and a large metal-clad building appeared to have been gutted by the intense heat.

Police said road closures were in place in the immediate vicinity.

The privately-owned zoo was established in 2005 and is some 30 minutes' drive from Edinburgh.

According to the zoo's website, it is "probably one of the few places in the world where you can see at close hand a West African dwarf crocodile".

The non-profit zoo is home to some 130 species of animals, including meerkats, monkeys and assorted reptiles.

The fire service added: "An investigation into the cause of the blaze will now take place."

The attraction is around 30 minutes' drive from Edinburgh

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