Meerkat dies, other animals rescued in VA zoo fire

A fire broke out on Sunday night at the Metro Richmond Zoo, damaging multiple buildings and killing a meerkat. Monday morning, crews worked to excavate the remains.

Fire officials in Chesterfield County have not yet been able to determine the cause of a fire that broke out Sunday night at the Metro Richmond Zoo in Moseley, causing major damage to several "behind-the-scenes work areas" and killing one animal.

Chesterfield Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to a 911 call from the zoo, at 8300 Beaver Bridge Road, shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday. Zoo Director Jim Andelin in a statement said the fire started in a workshop area and spread to the animal hospital, feed storage room and zookeeper service area.

In this image provided by Chesterfield Fire and EMS, crews respond to Metro Richmond Zoo Sunday evening.

"The structures are completely destroyed," Andelin said. "We are setting up temporary workspaces to maintain animal care and will rebuild the structures as soon as possible."

An ostrich stands near a fire-damaged building at Metro Richmond Zoo on Monday.

Chief Sal Luciano of Chesterfield Fire and EMS said Monday afternoon that the blaze could have started with an electrical fire, but that the significant damage to the buildings would make it difficult for investigators — who were on scene for several hours — to reach a definitive conclusion.

The fire-damaged animal hospital at Metro Richmond Zoo is shown on Monday. A fire broke out overnight Sunday.

Ten animals were in the buildings that caught fire, Andelin said. Initial reports were that all animals were safe and accounted for, but Andelin said a meerkat that was being treated in the animal hospital had died.

Meerkats are small mongooses native to southern Africa, typically around a foot in length and weighing between 1 and 2 pounds as adults.

Ostriches roam near a fire-damaged structure at Metro Richmond Zoo on Monday.

Firefighters and zoo staff were able to rescue the other animals. All zoo employees are safe.

With the fire extinguished, no other animals are believed to have been in danger, though the barrier to the kangaroo habitat was damaged and a temporary fence had to be installed.

"We are immensely grateful for the first responders who came to the zoo's aid," Andelin said in his statement. "Please keep our staff in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."

The privately owned zoo, which debuted in 1995, opened at 9:30 a.m. Monday for its regular hours.

"We are immensely grateful for the first responders who came to the zoo's aid," the zoo posted on social media.

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In September 1984, the Empire Theatre on Broad Street in downtown Richmond reopened with a gala and performance from the Richmond Symphony. Opened in 1911, the Empire closed and reopened many times since its founding. It is now known as the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre and is home to the Virginia Rep.

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Sean McGoey (804) 649-6012

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