Old Down Country Park 'saddened' after animals die in blaze
Animals died in the blaze
Animals have died after a fire broke out at a petting park on a Bristol country estate - but we don't yet know how many animals passed away following the incident.
The Old Down Country Park on Foxholes Lane closed on Saturday (April 27) after its petting park, which houses animals such as guinea pigs and rabbits, caught fire.
Avon Fire and Rescue Service say they attended the blaze in the early hours and that it started accidentally.
They added, unfortunately, animals were sadly lost in the incident.
In a statement, the team at the Old Down Country Park said: "We are saddened to report that the closure yesterday of our Country Park was due to a fire that occurred in our Pets Corner in which some of our beloved animals sadly passed.
"We are relieved to learn that the fire was not deliberate and thank the Emergency Services for their swift response.
"Yesterday our priority was that of our Teams welfare and ensuring we communicated directly with them as understandably they were deeply affected, particularly those that care day to day for animal welfare.
"We ask for sensitivity to our Team as we reopen today and in the coming week as we rebuild.
"Thank you for your understanding"