London Zoo reopens after blaze kills animals

LONDON, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- London Zoo reopens Sunday after animals died or went missing in a big fire.

The zoo confirmed that a 9-year aardvark called Misha died during the blaze and four meerkats, who remain unaccounted for, were also presumed dead.

The fire, which broke out Saturday morning in the Animal Adventure section, has destroyed a cafe shop and about half of the adjacent petting zoo, said firefighters.

More than 70 firefighters attended the incident, which was brought under control nearly three hours after the fire broke out.

A zoo spokesman said keepers who live on site were at the scene immediately to move animals to safety. Some staff were treated for smoke inhalation and shock at the scene, and one firefighter was taken to hospital as a precaution after suffering a minor injury.

The zoo was closed on Saturday and it said families with tickets for the zoo's Christmas event will be offered refunds.

London Fire Brigade said the cause of the fire is still unknown and the investigation teams are searching through the debris. Enditem