“ZOO” FIRE TRAGEDY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2389, 2 January 1909, Page 9 (Supplement)

“ZOO” FIRE TRAGEDY.

THIRTY ANIMALS BURNED TO DEATH.

By a fire which oecured m the /0010-rical 10-rical Park, Southport England, recently about thirty annuals, including two elephants, were asphyxiated or burned to death. ~ , The gardens arc visited by a quaitier of a million people each season, and" the “Zoo” was one of the principal attractions. . . The -flames were first obserevd by ; policeman at a little alter one o elcc.\ in the morning, and witinn halt an hour, and before the arrival ol the lire brigade, the entire wooden stiucturc, which was covered with folung, and had recently been tarred, was destroyed. The flames, fanned by a brisk "north-east wind, spread verv rapidly and when policemen and keepers arrived it was found impossible to rescue tho animals. Tlio fcmalo elephant was a splemuu Indian specimen, standing Bft, 6m. hi.di, and the male elephant, 211. si miller, was a highly trained, performing animal. Apparently the Latter had broked loose from its tether at the commencement of the lire, lor its partly burnt carcase was found lying several yards away from its stall. In their charred condition their tusks fell away to dust- on being touched. Tb© bison was stated to bo the only perfect specimen m Britain. A crane and two eagles were the only creatures -to escape, and those wore subsequently recap turd . . Air- Nathan Yates, the propnetoi oF tho gardens, estimates the total damage at £2,500, which is partly covered by insurance. Happily the other portion ol the Zoo, , which contained ,the lions and tigers, was a quarter of a nine distant from the scone ol t.io hre,-- ana quite escaped. .