LONDON (AP) - A fire has claimed the lives of reptiles, insects and a male otter at the Five Sisters Zoo in Scotland.
Officials said Sunday the blaze started in the zoo's tropical house and was fought by some 50 firefighters.
Visitor services worker Lesley Coupar said the fire was "the worst nightmare" because the zoo is owned and staffed by animal lovers.
She said "everything" in the reptile house had died but that some dwarf west African crocodiles housed next to the reptile house were saved.
There were no injuries to personnel or visitors in the early morning fire in Polbeth, a town about 12 miles (20 kilometers) south of Edinburgh.
Police said the cause of the blaze is unknown and that an investigation has begun.