ALL animals trapped inside a children’s mini zoo were tragically killed after a devastating blaze tore through a family soft play centre.
Among the animals kept at the site were meerkats, owls, iguanas, giant tortoises and a huge 16ft snake.
Heartbroken staff and locals have been left devastated after every animal inside The Jungle Box in Hertfordshire perished in the fire.
The blaze ripped through the popular family attraction on the Watermill Industrial Estate in Buntingford at around 3am on Wednesday.
Ten fire engines rushed to the scene as flames engulfed the building.
The Jungle Box, which opened last June, was home to a children’s soft play centre as well as a mini zoo and petting corner packed with exotic creatures.
Despite firefighters’ efforts to tackle the blaze, none of the animals trapped inside survived.
No people were injured in the fire.
Assistant chief fire officer Darren Cook said: “In the early hours of the morning we received calls to a significant fire at The Jungle Box in Buntingford.
“Crews worked hard to contain the fire and prevent it spreading to neighbouring units.
“I’d like to thank all crews for their professionalism and hard work and fire control colleagues for their calm and efficient handling of the calls.
“We can confirm that a number of animals were inside the building at the time of the fire and did not survive.”
The cause of the fire is unknown and an investigation is now under way.
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