- London Fire Brigade said 70 firefighters and ten fire engines battle for over two hours to extinguish the blaze
- It was centred on the Adventure cafe shop, which is close to the meerkat enclosure and contains petting area
- Now staff said an aardvark has died after the disastrous fire this morning, with staff visibly upset at the scene
- Four meerkats are missing after pre-dawn inferno, which also left eight people requiring medical treatment
Published: 02:50 EST, 23 December 2017 | Updated: 09:13 EST, 23 December 2017
An aardvark named Misha has died and four meerkats are missing after a devastating fire at London Zoo early this morning.
Eight people have also been treated for shock and smoke inhalation after the blaze tore through an enclosure at the park.
Desperate staff are believed to have risked their lives by smashing through glass in an attempt to save meerkats and other animals.
One aardvark – named as nine-year-old Misha – died following the 6am inferno, which began in the Animal Adventure section of the park before spreading to a gift shop and cafe.
Four meerkats, meanwhile, have also been reported missing.
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One aardvark – named as nine-year-old Misha – died following the 6am inferno, which began in the Animal Adventure section of the park before spreading to a gift shop and cafe. Pictured: The fire being extinguished earlier this morning
Four meerkats, meanwhile, have also been reported missing. Pictured: Misha, who has died after the shocking fire at London Zoo
An upset member of London Zoo's staff is hugged by a fellow worker after the shocking blaze. Many members of staff were treated for smoke inhalation after the fire
The zoo said: 'Duty staff that live on site at the zoo were on the scene immediately, and started moving animals to safety'. Pictured: The roof smoking after being extinguished
Pictured: Smashed glass at the entrance to the meerkat enclosure after dozens of firefighters battled to extinguish a blaze at London Zoo this morning
Desperate zookeepers are believed to have risked life and limb smashing their way through the glass at the meerkat enclosure to save the cute critters – as the neighbouring cafe was being gutted by fire
Llamas stand in their enclosure as firefighters remain on the scene following the devastating fire in London Zoo this morning
Gamze Yildiz, 30, said: 'I was planning to go to the zoo today so this is really sad. I was scared that the zoo might get burned down when I heard about it but I'm very pleased they have got it out.' Pictured: The aftermath of the blaze
The London Fire Brigade said 70 firefighters and ten fire engines had worked to put out the fire at a cafe and shop area of the park, which is close to the meerkat enclosure
Keepers who live at the zoo are believed to have sprung into action immediately to get as many animals as they could to safety.
The zoo could be closed until after Christmas while vets work to ensure the safety of all 2,000 animals.
Specialist vets are now keeping a close eye on all animals inside the Animal Adventure enclosure amid fears they may have inhaled smoke.
London Zoo refused to say if they would re-open before Christmas but confirmed their doors would remain shut today.
The fire was under control by 9.16am.
A London Zoo spokesperson said: 'ZSL London Zoo can confirm that at approximately 6am on Saturday 23 December a fire broke out in the Animal Adventure section of the Zoo, and spread to an adjacent shop.
'Duty staff that live on site at the zoo were on the scene immediately, and started moving animals to safety.
'The London Fire Brigade were on the scene within minutes and the fire was brought under control by 9:16am.
The London Fire Brigade said 70 firefighters and ten fire engines were working to put out at the fire at the cafe and shop area of the park
Fire crews from Kentish Town, Paddington, Euston, West Hampstead and other stations were sent to the scene
Flashing blue lights of fire trucks could been seen inside the zoo as at least three engines waited outside
Firefighters at Adventure cafe and shop near the Meerkat enclosure at London Zoo where there was a blaze earlier today
London Zoo have refused to comment on how many animals and which breeds live in the Animal Adventure section
Smoke rises above London Zoo in a photograph taken from Primrose Hill just before dawn this morning
'A number of zoo staff have been treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and shock.
'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.
The blaze is understood to have taken around two hours to get under control and has left the air surrounding the top end of the park thick with smoke and burning plastic
The firefighters can be seen tackling the huge blaze at the zoo
The zoo, in North London, is one of the capital's most popular attractions. Pictured: The fire brigade on the scene
'The zoo will remain closed until further notice, and we will work closely with fire investigators to determine the cause of the incident.'
London Fire Brigade station manager Clive Robinson, who attended the scene, said: 'The fire mainly affected the cafe and shop. 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.'
London Zoo has refused to comment on how many animals and which breeds live in the Animal Adventure section.
A spokeswoman for the LFB said: 'Approximately half of an adventure cafe and shop, which also contains an animal petting area, is currently alight.' Pictured: The fire being extinguished after dawn
The spokeswoman added: 'It is not known if any animals are involved at this stage.' Pictured: Firefighters go into the cafe after dawn
Members of the public walking through Regents Park were devastated at how much of the site had been destroyed.
Gamze Yildiz, 30, said: 'I was planning to go to the zoo today so this is really sad.
'I was scared that the zoo might get burned down when I heard about it but I'm very pleased they have got it out.
'I imagine the staff and animals now need some time to get over this, but perhaps I will come tomorrow.'
The London Fire Brigade said 70 firefighters and ten fire engines had worked to put out the fire at a cafe and shop area of the park, which is close to the meerkat enclosure.
A spokeswoman for the LFB said: 'Approximately three quarters of an adventure café and shop and half of the roof [was] alight.
'An animal petting area is nearby.'
She added: 'It is not known if any animals are involved at this stage.'
Pictured: Four firefighters on the scene with a hose. An aerial ladder was also used to fight the blaze, the fire brigade said
ZSL people press officer Emma Edwards said: 'The fire is in the adventure shop and cafe and the closest animals are in the children's zoo, a petting zoo with meerkats, porcupines, goats, pigs and other farmyard animals'
The zoo, which is based in Regent's Park in North London, tweeted that it will be closed today until further notice.
Flashing blue lights of fire trucks could been seen inside the zoo as at least three engines waited outside.
The blaze is understood to have taken around two hours to get under control and has left the air surrounding the top end of the park thick with smoke and burning plastic.
The blaze is understood to have taken around two hours to get under control and has left the air surrounding the top end of the park thick with smoke and burning plastic
A dog walker said: 'I could smell the fire from Camden Town, I thought it was going to be a huge blaze but it seems like they've got it, so I'm quite pleased.'
ZSL people press officer Emma Edwards said: 'The fire is in the adventure shop and cafe and the closest animals are in the children's zoo, a petting zoo with meerkats, porcupines, goats, pigs and other farmyard animals.'
Fire crews from Kentish Town, Paddington, Euston, West Hampstead and other stations were sent to the scene.
An aerial ladder was also used to fight the blaze, the fire brigade said.
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