Over 70 firefighters are battling a 'large' blaze at London Zoo, the Mirror reports. The fire has caused damage in a café and shop, which is near the penguin pool and camel enclosure.
10 fire engines were rushed to the zoo after a call came in shortly before 6.10am, Fire brigade chiefs said, with crews from Kentish Town, Paddington, Euston and West Hampstead called out.
Firefighter Paul Wood told the Mirror Online: "It was quite dramatic - the flames were lighting up the sky.
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"The fire broke out at around 6am and firefighters started squirting water at it. The flames are out now but they are still squirting water.
"I was in the park, surrounded by trees, and I could see the bright red flames from the road."
The zoo, which is located in the north east corner of London's Regent's Park, is spread across a 36-acre area. It is a major tourist attraction in London, welcoming more than a million tourists each year, and it is usually open every day of the year except Christmas Day.
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The zoo posted on Twitter, saying: "ZSL London Zoo is currently dealing with an incident on site. We will update as quickly as the situation allows."
A London Fire Brigade spokesman told Mirror Online that the fire had broken out in a single-storey building with a petting zoo nearby.
He also added: "What we don't know is what, if any, animals were involved."
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No injuries have been reported and an LFB spokesperson also said she did not believe any animals were involved, according to the BBC.
London Fire Brigade later posted on Twitter, saying that the blaze was now 'under control', but that firefighters were still on the scene, and would remain there throughout the morning to continue 'damping down' the fire.
London Zoo also posted an update on Twitter, saying that while things were under control, the zoo would remain closed until further notice.
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The tweet said: "ZSL London Zoo is currently dealing with an incident on site after a fire broke out. We'd like to reassure you that the fire is now under control. The Zoo will be closed today until further notice. We will update as quickly as the situation allows."
On London Zoo's official Facebook page, another post added: "If you have Meet Santa tickets or Zoo entry tickets booked please contact our Supporter Services team on 0344 225 1826 or [email protected] and they will be able to offer a refund."
Featured Image Credit: PA
