Chester Zoo fire caused by electrical fault

A fire at Chester Zoo in which some animals died was caused by an electrical fault.

The blaze broke out in the Monsoon Forest area on Saturday destroying much of its roof.

Orangutans, macaques, gibbons and larger birds were saved, but some fish, frogs, insects and small birds died.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said investigators had determined the blaze was "an accidental fire caused by an electrical fault".

More than 80 firefighters tackled the blaze in the Monsoon Forest area

More than 15 fire crews and ambulance staff attended the fire that broke out just before 11:30 GMT on Saturday.

The tourism attraction, which has more than 21,000 animals, said all of the creatures led to safety were being relocated within its 125-acre site.

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Lee Shears, from Cheshire Fire, said the "professionalism and expertise of the staff at the zoo meant that many precious species were saved".

Jamie Christon, the zoo's chief operating officer, thanked the fire service "for their valiant efforts" which helped "to rescue so many animals and minimise the extent of the damage."

The zoo reopened on Sunday but the Monsoon Forest area and Islands zone remain shut.

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Some birds were lost in the fire

Mr Christon said previously the zoo was "devastated" some animals could not be saved.

The attraction would focus on rebuilding the Monsoon Forest habitat, which was the UK's largest zoological building, he said.

The 14-acre section opened in August 2015 and has its own climate, with temperatures reaching 26.6C to replicate conditions found in South East Asia.

Money pledged by well-wishers has reached more than £140,000, and would be spent on "conservation projects", the zoo said.

A number of gibbons were saved from the blaze