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Monkeys saved in Birmingham nature reserve fire Monkeys saved in Birmingham nature reserve arson attack
(about 1 hour later)
Two spider monkeys were saved by firefighters in a blaze at a nature reserve. Two spider monkeys were saved by firefighters in an arson attack at a nature reserve.
Crews were called to a fire in the monkey house at Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park at about 23:00 BST on Thursday. Crews were called to a blaze in the monkey house at Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park at about 23:00 BST on Thursday.
Paul Bayliss, from Bournbrook fire station, said: "The fire was at one end and the monkeys were hiding in another."Paul Bayliss, from Bournbrook fire station, said: "The fire was at one end and the monkeys were hiding in another."
The animals were unharmed but there has been damage to the enclosure. Monkeys Rosie and Gucci were unharmed but the enclosure has been damaged.
West Midlands Police said the fire was being treated as arson.
Mr Bayliss said: "It was a confined enclosure, but there were trees going above so it was a case of getting in there and getting the fire out."Mr Bayliss said: "It was a confined enclosure, but there were trees going above so it was a case of getting in there and getting the fire out."
Once it was extinguished, firefighters worked with the keepers to keep the animals inside until the enclosure was secure.Once it was extinguished, firefighters worked with the keepers to keep the animals inside until the enclosure was secure.
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Mr Bayliss added: "The smoke actually did us a favour, where there was a big hole created by the fire, the smoke kept them back, but they became more inquisitive and started coming closer and we would be ushering them back.Mr Bayliss added: "The smoke actually did us a favour, where there was a big hole created by the fire, the smoke kept them back, but they became more inquisitive and started coming closer and we would be ushering them back.
"Then the keepers came and they were feeding them bananas to keep them in.""Then the keepers came and they were feeding them bananas to keep them in."
The cause of the blaze is unknown and investigations are continuing.
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