A FIRE has ripped through London Zoo with ten crews and 70 fire fighters tackling the blaze which particularly affected the petting area.
The blaze erupted in the cafe and shop of London Zoo, which includes a petting area. Half of the roof of the adventure cafe was alight.
According to the London Fire Brigade, ten fire engines, 72 firefighters and officers were called to a fire at a cafe and shop at London Zoo.
The zoo is rushing to check the welfare of the animals in the zoo, and it is not known yet if any of the animals have been injured.
According to witness Paul Wood, fire crews tackled a large fire in the camel enclosure of the famous zoo.
Station Manager Clive Robinson who attended the incident said: "The fire mainly affected the café 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."
A number of London Zoo staff have been treated for smoke inhalation and shock.
One of the two aardvark's, which are called Otto and Misha, are unaccounted for.
Twitter user @mumcoffee said that the adventure cafe and shop are close to the meerkats and camels in the world famous zoo.
The zoo is home to endangered Sumatran tigers, of which there are only 400 left in the world.
As part of its conservation work, the zoo built a £3million ‘Tiger Territory’ to both study and breed the majestic creatures.
Worried animal lovers have taken to Twitter to voice their concern about the welfare of the zoo’s animals.
Carmen Ghia said: “Oh no, poor creatures will be affected whatever happens.”
SimmyTheGiant said: “I pray that all the animals in London zoo are okay, I hope everyone gets out of the fire healthy and safely.”
Holly Bestley, a specialist media press officer, said: “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 zoo will remain closed until further notice, and we will work closely with fire investigators to determine the cause of the incident.”
It is unclear how the fire started or whether there was anyone inside.
London Fire Brigade tweeted at 9:20am: “The fire at London Zoo is now under control but crews will remain on the scene throughout the morning damping down the fire which has affected a cafe and a shop.”
Around 1.25 million visitors go to the zoo each year and it is one of the main tourist attractions in the capital.
It was opened in 1828 and is the world’s oldest scientific zoo.
The zoo which is home to polar bears, giant pandas and Gorillas should have been open from 10am until 4pm today.
Earlier this morning, London Fire Brigade said: “The Brigade was called at 0608.
"Fire crews from Kentish Town, Paddington, Euston, West Hampstead and other surrounding fire stations are at the scene.
"The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.”