Chester Zoo staff has issued a statement following the fire earlier today which took hold inside its Monsoon Forest habitat.
It said: “Chester Zoo can confirm that the fire services are attending to a fire inside its Monsoon Forest habitat today.
“Visitors were evacuated immediately and the zoo’s response team worked alongside the emergency services to help bring the situation under control.
“The zoo’s teams are now assessing the situation.
“Critically endangered Sumatran orangutans and other mammals are all accounted for.
“We are working hard to account for all other species.
“The zoo remains closed.
“The zoo’s The Lanterns event this evening has been cancelled and ticket holders notified by email.
“Please refer to our website and social media pages for accurate information.
“We will update you with more information as soon as we have it.”
