Emergency services have been called to a large blaze in Newchurch the Gazette can reveal

Fire crews were called just before six pm today Sunday (June 27) to Amazon World in Watery Lane in Newchurch

Staff at the zoo, which houses over 200 animal species, discovered the blaze in an outbuilding and raised the alarm.

Robert Westmore Amazon Zoo Manager said, “Staff tried to tackle the fire using a garden hose as it was feared that the fire might spread to the quarantine area of the zoo. Two anteaters had been moved.

“The fire service turned up very quickly and gained control of the fire and stopped it from spreading.”

He added that a there had been damage to the outhouse and a tractor had also been burnt out as a result of the fire but it had not affected the zoo. He went on to confirm that none of the animals had been hurt or had died in the incident.

At the height of the fire, six pumping appliances and four specialist appliances were involved and over fifty fire fighters from Newport, Shanklin, Sandown, Yarmouth, Cowes and Ventnor dealt with the blaze.

Ambulance paramedics treated two members of zoo staff at the scene who were suffering from smoke inhalation.

It is believed that they were overcome by smoke when attempting to move or rescue animals in nearby cages.

At the height of the fire a turntable ladder was used as a water tower to gain control of the fire.

Justin Harden Senior Duty officer for IW Fire service said: “The crews who fought the blaze did excellent job in gaining control of the fire in such an early stage this prevented the fire from spreading to neighbouring buildings and a salad packing factory.” He went on to say, “We are now working with the Southern Electricity Board to restore power to the zoo. There has been some damage from the fire to outbuildings and some cages have also been damaged.”

An investigation will take place as a matter of course due to the type of building in which the fire started.