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Five Sisters Zoo fire: Reptiles dead in blaze Five Sisters Zoo fire: Reptiles dead in blaze
(about 2 hours later)
A "substantial" number of reptiles have died in a blaze at a zoo in West Lothian. A "substantial" number of reptiles have died in a "ferocious" blaze at a zoo in West Lothian.
The fire broke out in the reptile house of the Five Sisters Zoo at Polbeth, West Calder, at about 03:50 BST. The fire broke out in the reptile house of the Five Sisters Zoo at Polbeth, West Calder, at about 03:50.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said they had managed to stop it spreading but a lot of reptiles had died. Fire crews managed to stop it spreading but a lot of reptiles and an otter died. They were able to rescue a pair of dwarf crocodiles and a second otter.
They were able to rescue a pair of dwarf crocodiles and an otter. The fire is not thought to be suspicious and inquiries are believed to be looking at the heating system.
No people are thought to have been injured in the blaze. No people were injured in the blaze.
Lesley Coupar, from the zoo, told BBC Scotland that the alarm went off and the owners went to see that the reptile house, a corrugated iron building, was ablaze. Lesley Coupar, from the zoo, told BBC Scotland that the alarm went off and the owners went out to see that the reptile house, a corrugated iron building, was ablaze.
She said a "substantial" number of reptiles and insects had died, although the house was partially closed and not all the reptiles were being housed there.She said a "substantial" number of reptiles and insects had died, although the house was partially closed and not all the reptiles were being housed there.
Ms Coupar said: "The reptile house is a shell and I don't think there is anything that has survived the blaze.Ms Coupar said: "The reptile house is a shell and I don't think there is anything that has survived the blaze.
"It was obviously extremely ferocious and everything has perished that was in the reptile house."It was obviously extremely ferocious and everything has perished that was in the reptile house.
"Otters and meerkats were housed near to the blaze and the crocodiles. We do know that the crocodiles have survived, they were submerged in water in their pond."Otters and meerkats were housed near to the blaze and the crocodiles. We do know that the crocodiles have survived, they were submerged in water in their pond.
"Unfortunately one otter died but the other one, we hope, will survive. It is under supervision as we speak.""Unfortunately one otter died but the other one, we hope, will survive. It is under supervision as we speak."
She said there was no indication what caused the fire. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are focusing their investigations on a heating system in the reptile house.
'Top attraction''Top attraction'
The fire service said 11 fire engines and specialist appliances were involved with bringing the blaze under control at its height.The fire service said 11 fire engines and specialist appliances were involved with bringing the blaze under control at its height.
The building involved is single storey and approximately 82ft (25m) by 49ft (15m) in size. The nearby road is currently closed to traffic.The building involved is single storey and approximately 82ft (25m) by 49ft (15m) in size. The nearby road is currently closed to traffic.
The privately-owned zoo was established in 2005.The privately-owned zoo was established in 2005.
Ms Coupar said: "We are a non-profit organisation who primarily rescue animals who would otherwise be put to sleep because nobody else wants them.Ms Coupar said: "We are a non-profit organisation who primarily rescue animals who would otherwise be put to sleep because nobody else wants them.
"We are here to offer them a safe haven. We work so terribly hard, with no money, just to keep these animals so this is just the worst nightmare."We are here to offer them a safe haven. We work so terribly hard, with no money, just to keep these animals so this is just the worst nightmare.
"The owners, staff and volunteers are all completely distraught because our main purpose is to look after and care for these animals.""The owners, staff and volunteers are all completely distraught because our main purpose is to look after and care for these animals."