
London Zoo has reopened following a deadly blaze that killed an aardvark named Misha and left four meerkats missing presumed dead.

Eight people were treated for shock and smoke inhalation after the blaze tore through an enclosure at the park on Saturday morning.

Desperate staff are believed to have risked their lives by smashing through glass in an attempt to save meerkats and other animals.

The four meerkats, named Robbie, Norman, Billy and Nigel, were brothers, born at the zoo in 2011, and ‘well-loved by everyone for their friendly, curious nature’ according to a spokesman.

The female aardvark died following the 6am inferno, which began in the Animal Adventure section of the zoo before spreading to a gift shop and cafe.

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One aardvark - named as nine-year-old Misha - died following the 6am inferno, which began in the Animal Adventure section of the park before spreading to a gift shop and cafe. Pictured: The fire being extinguished earlier this morning

Four meerkats, meanwhile, have also been reported missing. Pictured: Misha, who has died after the shocking fire at London Zoo

An upset member of London Zoo's staff is hugged by a fellow worker after the shocking blaze. Many members of staff were treated for smoke inhalation after the fire

Four meerkats, meanwhile, have also been reported missing. Pictured: Three of the little mammals that remain unaccounted for after the tragic blaze

The zoo said: 'Duty staff that live on site at the zoo were on the scene immediately, and started moving animals to safety'. Pictured: The roof smoking after being extinguished

Pictured: Smashed glass at the entrance to the meerkat enclosure after dozens of firefighters battled to extinguish a blaze at London Zoo this morning

Desperate zookeepers are believed to have risked life and limb smashing their way through the glass at the meerkat enclosure to save the cute critters - as the neighbouring cafe was being gutted by fire

The zoo, which is based in Regent's Park in North London, tweeted that it will be closed today until further notice. Pictured: Zookeepers move animals after the disastrous fire

Llamas stand in their enclosure as firefighters remain on the scene following the devastating fire in London Zoo this morning

Gamze Yildiz, 30, said: 'I was planning to go to the zoo today so this is really sad. I was scared that the zoo might get burned down when I heard about it but I'm very pleased they have got it out.' Pictured: The aftermath of the blaze

The London Fire Brigade said 72 firefighters and ten fire engines had worked to put out the fire at a cafe and shop area of the park, which is close to the meerkat enclosure

Keepers who live at the zoo are believed to have sprung into action immediately to get as many animals to safety as they could.

Misha, who was nine, died during the fire. Four other animals - meerkats - are also unaccounted for

The zoo was opened after 'consultation with fire experts', it said in a statement.

Misha was born at The Royal Burgers' Zoo in the Netherlands and arrived in London in 2008.

A London Zoo spokesman said: 'She was a great favourite of both zookeepers and visitors alike, both for her impressive digging abilities and friendly and gentle nature.'

Specialists are now keeping a close eye on all animals inside the Animal Adventure enclosure amid fears they may have inhaled smoke.

The zoo explained in a statement: 'Sadly our vets have confirmed the death of our nine-year-old aardvark, Misha. There are also four meerkats unaccounted for at this stage, and we have limited access to site to confirm this.

‘We are all naturally devastated by this. It’s too soon to speculate on the cause but we will be working very closely with fire investigators over the coming days and weeks to ascertain the cause.

'All other animals in the vicinity are being monitored closely by our vets, but early signs suggest they have not been affected. We will continue to monitor them over the coming days.'

The fire was under control by 9.16am.

A London Zoo spokesperson added: 'ZSL London Zoo can confirm that at approximately 6am on Saturday 23 December a fire broke out in the Animal Adventure section of the Zoo, and spread to an adjacent shop.

'Duty staff that live on site at the zoo were on the scene immediately, and started moving animals to safety.

'The London Fire Brigade were on the scene within minutes and the fire was brought under control by 9:16am.

The London Fire Brigade said 72 firefighters and ten fire engines were working to put out at the fire at the cafe and shop area of the park

Fire crews from Kentish Town, Paddington, Euston, West Hampstead and other stations were sent to the scene

Flashing blue lights of fire trucks could been seen inside the zoo as at least three engines waited outside

Firefighters at Adventure cafe and shop near the Meerkat enclosure at London Zoo where there was a blaze earlier today

London Zoo have refused to comment on how many animals and which breeds live in the Animal Adventure section

Smoke rises above London Zoo in a photograph taken from Primrose Hill just before dawn this morning

'A number of zoo staff have been treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and shock.

'Our staff are now in the process of assessing the situation in difficult conditions.

'We are immensely grateful to the fire brigade, who reacted quickly to the situation to bring the fire under control.'

The blaze is understood to have taken around three hours to get under control and has left the air surrounding the top end of the park thick with smoke and burning plastic

The firefighters can be seen tackling the huge blaze at the zoo

The zoo, in North London, is one of the capital's most popular attractions. Pictured: The fire brigade on the scene

London Fire Brigade station manager Clive Robinson, who attended the scene, said: 'The fire mainly affected the cafe and shop. Part of a nearby animal petting area was also affected.

'Firefighters worked hard to bring the fire under control as quickly as possible and to stop it from spreading to neighbouring animal enclosures. Crews will remain at the scene throughout the morning damping down any remaining pockets of fire.'

The zoo could be closed until after Christmas while vets work to ensure the safety of all 2,000 animals. Pictured: A photograph of Misha in happier times

Tributes poured in for Misha on social media, with many people also hoping for the safe return of the meerkats. Steve Clode (pictured) wrote 'RIP Misha'

Dominic Jermey, director general for ZSL, said some staff were treated for smoke inhalation and shock. But most posts on social media were about the animal victims of the fire

Members of the public walking through Regents Park were devastated at how much of the site had been destroyed. Members of the public online were equally devastated by the death of Misha the aardvark

Many people online said they would pray for the safe return of the missing four meerkats, who London Zoo staff are still searching for

The blaze is understood to have taken around three hours to get under control and has left the air surrounding the top end of the park thick with smoke and burning plastic. Pictured: A lamentation for the fire's victims on Twitter

Other users stressed that the animals are the primary victims of the fire and criticised those who expressed sympathy for the humans affected

London Zoo has refused to comment on how many animals live in the Animal Adventure section.

Dominic Jermey, director general for ZSL, said some staff were treated for smoke inhalation and shock.

Mr Jermey said: 'Given the circumstances they are fine but they, like all of us, are absolutely devastated by this incident today.'

All other animals in the vicinity of the blaze are being monitored by vets, and early signs suggest they have not been affected.

A spokeswoman for the LFB said: 'Approximately half of an adventure cafe and shop, which also contains an animal petting area, is currently alight.' Pictured: The fire being extinguished after dawn

The spokeswoman added: 'It is not known if any animals are involved at this stage.' Pictured: Firefighters go into the cafe after dawn

Members of the public walking through Regent's Park were devastated after the fire.

Gamze Yildiz, 30, said: 'I was planning to go to the zoo today so this is really sad.

'I was scared that the zoo might get burned down when I heard about it but I'm very pleased they have got it out.

'I imagine the staff and animals now need some time to get over this, but perhaps I will come tomorrow.'

The London Fire Brigade said 72 firefighters and ten fire engines had worked to put out the fire.

A spokeswoman for the LFB said: 'Approximately three quarters of an adventure café and shop and half of the roof [was] alight.

'An animal petting area is nearby.'

She added: 'It is not known if any animals are involved at this stage.'

Pictured: Four firefighters on the scene with a hose. An aerial ladder was also used to fight the blaze, the fire brigade said

ZSL people press officer Emma Edwards said: 'The fire is in the adventure shop and cafe and the closest animals are in the children's zoo, a petting zoo with meerkats, porcupines, goats, pigs and other farmyard animals'

The zoo, which is based in Regent's Park in North London, tweeted that it will be closed today while the fire is investigated.

Flashing blue lights of fire trucks could been seen inside the zoo as at least three engines waited outside.

The blaze is understood to have taken around three hours to get under control and has left the air surrounding the top end of the park thick with smoke and burning plastic.

During the blaze, one firefighter suffered a wrist injury and was taken to hospital. Five other firefighters were assessed on the scene by paramedics but remained on duty.

Specialists are now keeping a close eye on all animals inside the Animal Adventure enclosure amid fears they may have inhaled smoke

A dog walker said: 'I could smell the fire from Camden Town, I thought it was going to be a huge blaze but it seems like they've got it, so I'm quite pleased.'

ZSL people press officer Emma Edwards said: 'The fire is in the adventure shop and cafe and the closest animals are in the children's zoo, a petting zoo with meerkats, porcupines, goats, pigs and other farmyard animals.'

Fire crews from Kentish Town, Paddington, Euston, West Hampstead and other stations were sent to the scene.

An aerial ladder was also used to fight the blaze, the fire brigade said.