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Chessington theme park remains closed after fire | Chessington theme park remains closed after fire |
(35 minutes later) | |
Chessington World of Adventures theme park in Surrey will be closed until after Christmas, following a fire in a cafe on the site. | Chessington World of Adventures theme park in Surrey will be closed until after Christmas, following a fire in a cafe on the site. |
The park had been running festive zoo days at its animal park and sea life centre during December while its rides were closed for the winter. | The park had been running festive zoo days at its animal park and sea life centre during December while its rides were closed for the winter. |
The fire at the Creaky Cafe broke out just after 08:30 GMT on Saturday, before the park had opened. | The fire at the Creaky Cafe broke out just after 08:30 GMT on Saturday, before the park had opened. |
Chessington said it would readmit day visitors on 26 December. | Chessington said it would readmit day visitors on 26 December. |
'Devastated' | |
It remains open for hotel guests with pre-booked packages. | It remains open for hotel guests with pre-booked packages. |
The park was scheduled to close for the day on 25 December. | The park was scheduled to close for the day on 25 December. |
No-one was injured in fire which occurred near the zoo and Santa's grotto, but animals were removed to safety. | No-one was injured in fire which occurred near the zoo and Santa's grotto, but animals were removed to safety. |
London Fire Brigade said the single-storey building was destroyed by fire. An attraction next door was also affected, along with a parade of shops and a plant room. | London Fire Brigade said the single-storey building was destroyed by fire. An attraction next door was also affected, along with a parade of shops and a plant room. |
Families were turned away from the attraction on Saturday. | Families were turned away from the attraction on Saturday. |
Paul Sharpe, 41, from Maidstone in Kent, who arrived at Chessington's hotel on Friday night with his family, was "devastated" to miss out. | Paul Sharpe, 41, from Maidstone in Kent, who arrived at Chessington's hotel on Friday night with his family, was "devastated" to miss out. |
'Disappointment' | |
He said: "We came out to the car and just heard noise. We saw smoke billowing and lot of people from Chessington running towards it. | He said: "We came out to the car and just heard noise. We saw smoke billowing and lot of people from Chessington running towards it. |
"This huge flame shot out of the top of the building, I mean really tall, very orange, and the smoke just was everywhere." | "This huge flame shot out of the top of the building, I mean really tall, very orange, and the smoke just was everywhere." |
Chessington said the resort would be closed for people visiting for the day, including those with pre-booked tickets and annual pass holders who were not staying at the hotel. | Chessington said the resort would be closed for people visiting for the day, including those with pre-booked tickets and annual pass holders who were not staying at the hotel. |
It said people with pre-booked tickets should contact the park. | It said people with pre-booked tickets should contact the park. |
"The area surrounding Creaky Cafe will remain closed until the investigation is complete," it said in a statement. | "The area surrounding Creaky Cafe will remain closed until the investigation is complete," it said in a statement. |
"We would like to sincerely apologise for the disappointment this has caused." | "We would like to sincerely apologise for the disappointment this has caused." |
The theme park rides and attractions reopen in March. | The theme park rides and attractions reopen in March. |
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