PSNI investigates zoo fire

Police in Northern Ireland are investigating a fire at Belfast Zoo in the early hours of the morning.

Police in Northern Ireland are investigating a fire at Belfast Zoo in the early hours of the morning.

Emergency services said the cafe at the zoo was gutted in the overnight blaze.

Fire services were alerted to the blaze at 12.40am but were unable to save the building.

 A police spokeswoman said an examination would be carried out to establish the cause and whether the fire was started maliciously.

Zoo spokeswoman Joy Bond said both intruder and fire alarms at the Mountain Tea House in the zoo had gone off at around 12.30am.

The fire service got to the scene very quickly but was unable to save the building, she said.

"It is disappointing news for us. It was quite a significant blaze and the cafe is destroyed."

Belfast Zoo is built up the side of the hills above north Belfast and the Mountain Tea House was popular for the views it offered across the city and Belfast Lough.

All the animals are safe and the zoo will be open as normal, but around 5 per cent of the animals close to the cafe are within the sealed-off area and will not be available for viewing by visitors, added Ms Bond.