A fire broke out in a shopping mall zoo on Wednesday morning where animal rights activists had been fighting to close down for years.
The incident took place about 11 am in Pata Zoo, on the sixth floor of the Pata Pinklao Department Store, police said. No injuries have been reported, either animal or human, as of the press time.
Bang Yi Khan Police Police Lt. Col. Wanchai Pantapat said firefighters took 10 minutes to douse the flames, but the mall was already filled with smoke afterward.
The fire allegedly erupted on the sixth floor at the animal stage show location. Police also said the cause of the fire is still being investigated.
The zoo, where a 29-year-old gorilla and other animals were housed, has been attracting criticism in recent years due to allegations of inadequate maintenance of the facility. Animal rights groups have been pressing for a closing of the zoo, to no avail.
Here is the sad story by Khaosod magazine about the 29-year-old gorilla from Pata zoo.
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