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Firefighters in front of the burning monkey house at Krefeld Zoo in Germany today. Alexander Forstreuter/DPA via AP

Scores of animals killed in fire at German zoo

Local media reported that New Year’s Eve fireworks could have started the blaze.

A FIRE AT a zoo in western Germany killed a large number of animals in the early hours of the new year, authorities have said.

They did not comment on local media reports that the blaze was started by fireworks.

Krefeld Zoo, near the Dutch border, said the entire ape house burned down and all the animals inside died.

The DPA news agency, quoting officials, said the dead animals included chimpanzees, orangutans and two gorillas, as well as fruit bats and birds.

However, the zoo said on Facebook that the nearby Gorilla Garden escaped the flames and that gorilla Kidogo and his family are alive.

“An unfathomable tragedy hit us shortly after midnight.” the zoo said in a statement. “Our ape building burned down to the foundation.”

Both the zoo and city officials said they did not know what had caused the fire and that police are investigating. They would not confirm local media reports that New Year’s Eve fireworks could have started the blaze.

The zoo remained closed today.

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    Mute Jimmyjoe Wallace
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    Jan 2nd 2017, 9:31 PM

    I’ve been loving you a long time Down all the years, down all the days And I’ve cried for all your troubles Smiled at your funny little ways We watched our friends grow up together And we saw them as they fell Some of them fell into Heaven Some of them fell into Hell

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    Mute Padraig Piarais Mac AnTsaoir
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    Jan 2nd 2017, 10:07 PM

    @Jimmyjoe Wallace: Why would anyone redthumb that, some of the greatest lyrics of this or any other century.

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    Mute Jimmyjoe Wallace
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    Jan 2nd 2017, 10:09 PM

    It sure is Padraig, and I thought is was apt under the circumstances.

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    Mute Brown Boots
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    Jan 2nd 2017, 11:04 PM

    Well played Jimmy… And a sad loss. Hope to see Shane back in action soon

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Jan 3rd 2017, 4:28 AM

    Are the lyrics from this century though?

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    Mute Mary Murphy
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    Jan 2nd 2017, 9:08 PM

    Shane bless you in the day ahead. Your Mam is now your wing person. So sorry for you loss

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    Mute FlopFlipU
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    Jan 2nd 2017, 8:51 PM

    RIP not a great start to the year

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    Mute winston smith
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    Jan 2nd 2017, 10:11 PM

    From the newspaper photo he is the image of his mother. Sad time.

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    Mute Derek Hughes
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    Jan 3rd 2017, 1:44 AM

    Shane has given a lot of joy and happiness to me and untold numbers of others through his music and talent. He is his mother’s son. May God comfort him at this difficult time. Shane may you be blessed and comforted secure in the knowledge, that our support is a drop in the ocean when compared with the gifts you and your Mum have shared with us. May she Rest In Peace.

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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Jan 3rd 2017, 1:02 AM

    Awful tragedy. The headlines splashed across the tabloids today were nothing short of disgusting.

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    Mute Linda Hughes
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    Jan 3rd 2017, 1:29 AM

    So sad Rip x

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