A devastating fire at a children's soft play centre and mini zoo in Hertfordshire has resulted in the tragic deaths of all animals housed within the building.
Fire at The Jungle Box
Ten fire engines were dispatched to The Jungle Box, located on the Watermill Industrial Estate in Buntingford, after a blaze was reported at approximately 3am on Wednesday morning. The facility, which opened in June of the previous year, featured a mini zoo and pets corner that housed a variety of small animals, including meerkats, owls, iguanas, giant tortoises, and a 16ft snake.
Confirmation of Animal Deaths
After extinguishing the fire, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that all animals inside the building at the time of the incident had perished. Fortunately, no human casualties were reported. Assistant Chief Fire Officer Darren Cook expressed gratitude for the crews' professionalism and hard work, as well as the calm and efficient handling of emergency calls by fire control colleagues. He added, 'Sadly, we can confirm that a number of animals were inside the building at the time of the fire and did not survive.'
This is a breaking news story, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
