Global General

26 animals die in fire at German zoo

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-11-13 21:26

BERLIN - Police say a fire at the Karlsruhe zoo in southwestern Germany has killed 26 animals including Shetland ponies, goats, sheep and a llama.

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Karlsruhe police said elephants and hippos were saved from their enclosures next to the petting zoo that caught fire and burned down early Saturday.

Some 100 firefighters fought against strong winds that threatened to spread the flames from wooden structures of the petting zoo to neighboring buildings.

Authorities have launched an investigation but no cause has yet been determined. The zoo is temporarily closed to the public.