Fire razes Hertfordshire kids zoo, baby tortoise lives

A devastating fire destroyed a children's soft play centre and mini zoo in Hertfordshire early Wednesday morning, killing nearly all the animals housed inside. Firefighters later discovered a single baby tortoise had survived the inferno, providing a small moment of relief after an otherwise tragic incident.

The blaze erupted at The Jungle Box, located on the Watermill Industrial Estate in Buntingford, shortly after 3 a.m. on June 10. Ten fire engines and an aerial ladder platform were dispatched to the scene, where crews worked for hours to contain the flames and prevent them from spreading to neighbouring business units. No people were injured, as the building was unoccupied at the time.

Authorities initially feared all the animals had perished. The facility housed a variety of exotic creatures, including meerkats, owls, iguanas, genets, and a 16-foot snake. However, during their investigation on Thursday, June 11, fire crews announced the discovery of a live baby tortoise in the aftermath.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Darren Cook said crews worked hard to contain the significant fire and thanked personnel for their professionalism. An investigation into the cause of the blaze...