Sparks from flying New Year’s Eve lamps left a flame that killed dozens of animals, notably monkeys at a zoo in northwestern Germany, management and security services stated on Wednesday.
The fire cut through the monkey park soon before midnight, leading to the death of at least 30 animals, police affirmed.
The enclosure that was set ablaze housed gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees and marmosets. Zoo authorities said that only two chimpanzees survived the massive fire along with the family of gorillas in a nearby building.
Krefeld zoo which practices in primates, posted on its Facebook page that their most dangerous fear has been realised.
Visitors lit candles and left flowers and soft toys at the entrance of the zoo with theirs in their eyes.
Firefighters stopped the flames from reaching out to other buildings at the zoo in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Initial findings suggest the fire might have been the result of flying paper lanterns, which are left into the air when lit.
Three lamps were found in the smouldering debris with handwritten New Year wishes on them.
Such devices are banned in the region since 2009. However, police officials have launched an investigation to verify the statements of people who may have used such lanterns.
Immediately after the incident took place, the German animal protection association called upon the ban of any kind of fireworks near zoos, kennels and farms.
The destructive blaze was “frightening proof of the tense consequences for animals” from “uncontrolled” celebrations, the group said.
Germans usually use robust fireworks to celebrate the New Year, and in Berlin, rescue services on Wednesday recorded 22 injuries, some of which required amputations, from the holiday.
Employees of Krefeld zoo are in shock, and the zoo will remain closed on Wednesday.
The zoo has around 1,000 animals and attracts some 400,000 visitors a year.