Overview
- A fire started in the office building at Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World at about 7am on Monday, August 3, forcing the attraction to close while crews fought the blaze.
- The zoo said all public animals were checked and reported safe but three privately owned pets — stick insects, a hedgehog and a snake — died in the fire.
- Two owners were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation checks and were later discharged, according to the family who run the site.
- The zoo office was left 'completely gutted' and the first aviary had minor damage, with staff crediting Shropshire Fire and Rescue for stopping the fire spreading to nearby wooden buildings.
- Hoo Zoo reopened to visitors on Tuesday with cordons and repair work in place, bookings being rearranged and the cause of the fire still under investigation.