A "substantial" number of reptiles have died in a blaze at a zoo in West Lothian.
The fire broke out in the reptile house of the Five Sisters Zoo at Polbeth, West Calder, at about 03:50 BST.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said they had managed to stop it spreading but a lot of reptiles had died.
They were able to rescue a pair of dwarf crocodiles and an otter.
No people are thought to have been injured in the blaze.
End Quote Lesley Cooper Five Sisters ZooIt was obviously extremely ferocious and everything has perished that was in the reptile house"
Lesley Coupar, from the zoo, told BBC Scotland that the alarm went off and the owners went to see that the reptile house, a corrugated iron building, was ablaze.
She said a "substantial" number of reptiles and insects had died, although the house was partially closed and not all the reptiles were being housed there.
Ms Coupar said: "The reptile house is a shell and I don't think there is anything that has survived the blaze.
"It was obviously extremely ferocious and everything has perished that was in the reptile house.
"Otters and meerkats were housed near to the blaze and the crocodiles. We do know that the crocodiles have survived, they were submerged in water in their pond.
"Unfortunately one otter died but the other one, we hope, will survive. It is under supervision as we speak."
She said there was no indication what caused the fire.
'Top attraction'The fire service said 11 fire engines and specialist appliances were involved with bringing the blaze under control at its height.
The building involved is single storey and approximately 82ft (25m) by 49ft (15m) in size. The nearby road is currently closed to traffic.
The privately-owned zoo was established in 2005.
Ms Coupar said: "We are a non-profit organisation who primarily rescue animals who would otherwise be put to sleep because nobody else wants them.
"We are here to offer them a safe haven. We work so terribly hard, with no money, just to keep these animals so this is just the worst nightmare.
"The owners, staff and volunteers are all completely distraught because our main purpose is to look after and care for these animals."
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