Large fire causes evacuation of Chester zoo

A fire at Chester zoo has been brought under control after the attraction was successfully evacuated, and staff are working to account for all the animals in the sub-tropical enclosure where the blaze took hold.

The zoo closed for the day after plumes of smoke billowed from the Monsoon Forest building – the largest indoor zoo exhibit in the UK – as emergency services, including fire engines and ambulances, attended the scene before midday on Saturday. One person was treated for smoke inhalation.

Staff swiftly moved animals away from the fire and evacuated visitors. Witnesses reported that staff led orangutans and gibbons into the outdoors part of their enclosure. The status of the other animals, including rhinoceros hornbills, remains unclear. The zoo overall is home to about 21,000 animals of 500 species.

The 5,000 square metre enclosure was completed in 2015 at a cost of £40m and includes raised forest walkways and underwater viewing areas where visitors can watch crocodiles. It replicates the hot, humid conditions of south-east Asia. Firefighters were lifted above the giant polymer roof, which is now severely damaged, to battle the blaze which they brought under control by 2pm.

Fifteen fire appliances were at the scene, some drafted in from other services across the region, and a mobile command centre was set up to direct the operation.

Witnesses said the fire had begun at around 11.30am and that strong winds had caused it to spread rapidly. “We were in the monsoon enclosure when it happened and were rushed out due to an electrical fire,” one said. “It spread very quickly. The staff ensured all the members of the public were safe.”

Frank Riding, an amateur photographer who was visiting the zoo, said: “I was doing photography in the islands section when staff started acting anxiously and rushing to each other, pointing at the Monsoon Forest.

“It was only moments later that crowds were directed out and staff told us to quickly and calmly leave the islands. I took that as to leave the zoo, but some people wandered to other parts of the zoo. At this point, smoke was billowing out of the building being carried by the wind.”

Reports from the scene said that by 2pm the fire appeared to be under control. “There are fewer flames now and we’re all just hoping the animals and humans are OK,” said Rebecca Clough, 20, a medical student who lives opposite the zoo.

Chester fire and rescue service said: “The zoo has been evacuated. There are no reports of any injuries at this time. Drivers are advised to avoid the area. There are currently 15 fire appliances in attendance at the scene.”

Chester zoo tweeted: “We can confirm fire services are attending a fire at our Monsoon Forest habitat. Visitors were evacuated. The zoo’s team worked with emergency services to bring the situation under control. We are assessing the area and will update with info as we have it. The zoo remains closed.”

In a later statement a spokesperson said: “Critically endangered Sumatran orangutans and other mammals are all accounted for. We are working hard to account for all other species. The zoo’s The Lanterns event this evening has been cancelled and ticket-holders notified by email.”

A spokeswoman for North West ambulance service said it was called to the scene at 11.42am. “We had two rapid response vehicles and one ambulance on the scene, all of which cleared as there were no patients,” she said. “There is one patient with smoke inhalation. We’ve got an officer on the scene.”

Chester zoo attracts about 2 million visitors a year, making it the UK’s most visited zoo outside London.

Five animals, including an aardvark and four meerkats, died this time last year in a fire at London zoo that took 72 firefighters to tackle.