We owe fire service our livelihood, says zoo owner

2 hours ago

Charlotte Bentonin Telford

News image — The fire broke out in Hoo Zoo's office building on Monday morning

BBC An office building completely gutted and destroyed by fire. There are charred, blackened and broken pieces of furniture and items strewn around, with the roof exposed and blown out windows — The fire broke out in Hoo Zoo's office building on Monday morning

The owner of a zoo that was hit by a fire says he owes his livelihood to fire crews who put out the blaze.

The fire at Hoo Zoo, near Telford, Shropshire, was discovered at about 07:30 BST on Monday in its office building, and had started to spread to a neighbouring building before it was put out by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Two of the site's owners were taken to hospital after breathing in smoke but were later discharged.

"We really can't speak highly enough of the fire crews... if it had taken hold of that [neighbouring] building, I think it would've been us closed for the foreseeable future, if not, permanently," said Will Dorrell.

"It appears that there was an issue with a heat lamp, either in a snake tank or a stick insect tank in there.

"When the fire service looked at where the fire had started and where it spread from, that's the most logical cause."

A snake, a hedgehog, and several stick insects that were inside and were personal pets of Dorrell and his wife, died in the fire.

A man with grey/brown hair wearing a navy t-shirt that says "hoo zoo owner". There is a bright vehicle behind him that is yellow and green with brown animal patterns on it. On a building behind him is a large dinosaur model bursting out of the wall — Personal pets belonging to owners, Will Dorrell, and his wife, were killed in the fire

The zoo was closed on Monday and reopened on Tuesday, with staff having to cancel bookings for about 500 people who were supposed to visit.

"We've been overwhelmed by the majority positive and supportive response," Dorrell said.

"We can't thank everybody enough for their understanding and support during what was a very difficult day."

He said despite the "sombre atmosphere", staff went above and beyond their duties.

"The building the fire was starting to spread to, does contain other animals," he told the BBC.

"The staff, whilst the fire was still going, were in that building moving those animals out to secure building.

"They were putting their lives at risk, going into a building that another part of it was on fire, to get these animals out."

The side of a wooden building affected by fire. A window and blinds inside it are charred and broken, and a door and part of its roof has been burnt and damaged — The fire spread to a neighbouring building but was stopped before it caused extensive damage

Despite the fire, Dorrell said their other animals were not affected.

"Some of them weren't overly keen on the amount of smoke there was, but this building is far enough away from the animals that it wasn't really an issue," he added.

"They could smell there was smoke somewhere.

"It's terrible and tragic and we are absolutely gutted about the animals we did lose… but it could've been so much catastrophically worse."

Dorell said repair work would be something the zoo would begin to work through over the coming weeks.

"We're hoping in a month to six weeks, we can get the area back to somewhat what it was before," he added.