San Diego Zoo's pandas didn't notice the burning gift shop
The pandas at the San Diego Zoo got some unexpected visitors early Monday morning when their concerned keepers went in to check on them after a fire broke out at a nearby gift shop. The pandas were acting as they normally would and did not seem aware of the commotion, keepers said.
Keepers from around the Zoo said that the animals seemed to be doing fine in the wake of a fire that caused smoke in Panda Canyon and burned a gift shop shortly before 2 a.m. Monday, July 11. The Panda Canyon gift shop is in the heart of the Zoo. The small shop is not connected to any other buildings.
The problem was discovered when a San Diego Zoo security officer, doing a routine check of the canyon area, smelled smoke. As the officer checked for the source of the smell, he saw an open flame on the Panda gift shop. The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department was called and quickly extinguished the blaze.
The fire department is conducting a routine investigation into the cause of the fire. The Zoo will open and operate on schedule today. San Diego Zoo Global is very grateful to the firefighters whose hard work and expertise helped put the fire out so quickly.
Source: San Diego Zoo
