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Krefeld zoo fire: German police suspect three women | Krefeld zoo fire: German police suspect three women |
(32 minutes later) | |
German police suspect a mother and her two adult daughters of having caused a deadly zoo fire by releasing illegal sky lanterns on New Year's Eve. | German police suspect a mother and her two adult daughters of having caused a deadly zoo fire by releasing illegal sky lanterns on New Year's Eve. |
The blaze killed more than 30 animals, including rare apes and monkeys, in the western city of Krefeld. | The blaze killed more than 30 animals, including rare apes and monkeys, in the western city of Krefeld. |
Police say they have questioned the three women, local residents who are said to be "extremely sorry". | |
They allegedly did not realise that the lanterns - bought on the internet - were banned in Germany. | They allegedly did not realise that the lanterns - bought on the internet - were banned in Germany. |
The fire on the night of 31 December gutted the zoo's tropical ape house. | The fire on the night of 31 December gutted the zoo's tropical ape house. |
Rare Bornean orangutans, chimpanzees and marmosets lived in the 2,000 sq m (21,500 sq ft) enclosure. | Rare Bornean orangutans, chimpanzees and marmosets lived in the 2,000 sq m (21,500 sq ft) enclosure. |
Two chimpanzees and a seven-strong family of gorillas survived. They were in a neighbouring Gorilla Garden, and firefighters managed to prevent the flames spreading from the ape house. | Two chimpanzees and a seven-strong family of gorillas survived. They were in a neighbouring Gorilla Garden, and firefighters managed to prevent the flames spreading from the ape house. |
Five orangutans died, along with a chimpanzee and many monkeys. The ape house - replicating a rainforest habitat - was also home to birds and fruit bats. | Five orangutans died, along with a chimpanzee and many monkeys. The ape house - replicating a rainforest habitat - was also home to birds and fruit bats. |
Flying "Chinese" lanterns have a solid fuel flame inside a thin paper shell. Police say five were let off, including four that were found near the gutted ape house. | |
State prosecutor Jens Frobel said the case was focused on three women from Krefeld, who are from 30 to 60 years old. | |
The women, who are suspected of "arson through negligence", could face up to five years in jail or a fine. | |
They reported to police on Wednesday, and officers praised them for "courageously" coming forward with information. | |
"We checked their handwriting," police said, as handwritten New Year greetings had been found with the lanterns. | |
The zoo is mourning the loss of Massa, a 45-year-old western lowland gorilla, and his female partner. Massa was one of the oldest captive gorillas in Europe. | The zoo is mourning the loss of Massa, a 45-year-old western lowland gorilla, and his female partner. Massa was one of the oldest captive gorillas in Europe. |
Firefighters saved two chimpanzees - Bally and Limbo. | Firefighters saved two chimpanzees - Bally and Limbo. |
One firefighter, Andreas Klos, said: "We were amazed that the building burned down so quickly". He noted that it did not have a sprinkler system. | One firefighter, Andreas Klos, said: "We were amazed that the building burned down so quickly". He noted that it did not have a sprinkler system. |
The zoo thanked people for their "overwhelming wave of compassion". It remained closed on Thursday. A makeshift memorial with flowers, candles and mourning placards has been set up at the entrance. | The zoo thanked people for their "overwhelming wave of compassion". It remained closed on Thursday. A makeshift memorial with flowers, candles and mourning placards has been set up at the entrance. |
The apes died from smoke inhalation. "In death, too, apes are very similar to humans," said police investigator Gerd Hoppmann. | |
It is the most devastating zoo fire in Germany in recent years. In November 2010, a fire at a zoo in Karlsruhe killed 26 animals including alpacas, miniature donkeys and Shetland ponies. | It is the most devastating zoo fire in Germany in recent years. In November 2010, a fire at a zoo in Karlsruhe killed 26 animals including alpacas, miniature donkeys and Shetland ponies. |