A fire tore through an ape house in a German zoo, killing dozens of animals

It is believed that fireworks and lanterns sparked a devastating inferno in a zoo on New Year’s Eve, killing chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, fruit bats, birds and other animals.

Firemen work at the burning monkey house of the zoo in Krefeld, western Germany. Picture: AFP

New Year’s Eve fireworks and lanterns are feared to have sparked a horror blaze at a German zoo which killed 30 animals when it tore through its “ape house”.

Krefeld Zoo – located north of Dusseldorf and near the Dutch border – said its “worst fears have become reality” in the wake of this morning’s shocking fire, The Sun reports.

Orangutans are pictured at the zoo in Krefeld, western Germany. Picture: AFP

In a post on Facebook, it said: “An unfathomable tragedy hit us shortly after midnight. Our ape building burned down to the foundation.”

Chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans are among those that burned alive. Fruit bats, birds and other animals were also killed.

However, two chimps called Bally and Limbo were saved from the flames by firefighters who heard their screams.

Both suffered minor burns and the zoo director described their last minute rescue as nothing short of “a miracle”.

Bosses also revealed the nearby Gorilla Garden – home to one of its most famous residents – escaped the ferocious flames.

Aerial view shows the burnt-out monkey house of the zoo in Krefeld, western Germany. Picture: AFP

‘Gorilla Kidogo and his family are alive’, the zoo wrote on Facebook in the early hours of today.

Both the zoo and city officials said that they didn’t know the exact cause of the fire and that police are investigating.

They would not confirm reports by local media that New Year’s fireworks could have sparked the killer blaze.

However, reports from the scene claim three banned sky lanterns were found in the charred remains of the enclosure.

Flowers, candles, stuffed animals and placards are placed at a makeshift memorial for the animals that died in a fire at the Krefeld Zoo monkey house. Picture: AFP

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The Zoo said it was thankful for the many offers of help, but added: “We are still in shock and cannot yet say exactly if and where help is needed.”

The greenhouse-style building – which opened in 1975 – burned to the ground within a couple of hours, say reports.

Orangutans, chimpanzees, gorillas, marmosets, epaulet fruit bats and birds were inside at the time.

This story first appeared in The Sun and has been republished here with permission.

Originally published as A fire tore through an ape house in a German zoo, killing dozens of animals