Annexed peninsula
More than 200 animals die in major fire at Crimean zoo
A short circuit in the zoo is considered a possible cause of the fire
© Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations
More than 200 animals died in a major fire at a zoo on the Crimean peninsula. Because the fire was discovered late, help came too late for many of the animals. However, two bears and a woman were rescued.
According to media reports, more than 200 exotic animals died in a fire in a zoo on the peninsula annexed by Russia Crimea died. “The main reason for the tragedy is the late discovery of the fire,” a spokesman for the local civil defense told the RBK internet portal on Tuesday.
When the fire brigade arrived, the entire five-story building that housed the tropical zoo was already in flames. Because of the wooden roof and the straw in the enclosures, the fire was able to spread quickly.
Fire in the zoo: woman and two bears were rescued
The emergency call came in shortly after half past two in the morning. The fire area was more than 600 square meters.
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The fire department was able to bring a woman out of the burning building to safety. According to reports, two bears were also rescued. Most other animals, including crocodiles and chameleons, giant snakes and turtles, capybaras and capuchin monkeys, perished in smoke and flames. A short circuit is considered a possible cause of the fire.