Otter and Reptiles Perish in Scotland Zoo Blaze

Fifty firefighters have been fighting a blaze that broke out in the tropical house of a Scottish zoo in the early hours of Sunday 14 April.

The fire broke out in the single-storey building in Five Sisters Zoo, West Calder, West Lothian, at about 3.50am.

At its height, 50 firefighters, 11 fire engines and their specialist equipment were involved in quelling the fire.

A pair of dwarf crocodiles and an otter were rescued, though scores of reptiles are believed to have perished.

One otter was also confirmed to have died in the fire.

"One of our beloved otters was found dead. The otters are a huge, popular attraction at the zoo, so many people love them," Lesley Coupar, the zoo's head of marketing, told the Independent.

"Sadly the male has gone. The female is being looked after by the vet."

Crews used lines of hose to stop the fire spreading to other buildings.

No one was injured in the blaze, and authorities said a vet had been called to treat wounded animals.

"We're at the scene liaising with police and ambulance," a spokesman for Scotland Fire and Rescue Service said.

"The Five Sisters Zoo has arranged for a vet to attend to the affected animals and they are currently producing an inventory of any animals not accounted for."

A Police Scotland spokesman said that officers remained on the scene this morning.

The zoo was established in 2005, and the not-for-profit organisation is home to 130 species of animals, birds, and reptiles from around the world.

Its website says it is the "top wildlife, animal and exotics attraction in West Lothian".