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A raging barn fire has taken the lives of two giraffes — including fan favorite Waffles — at a zoo in the Washington, DC, area.
The fatal blaze occurred on Monday at Roer’s Zoofari in Vienna, Virginia, about 12 miles west of the capital. The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department got a call on Monday afternoon alerting them to a fire at the park.
By the time fire officers arrived at the scene, two floors of the barn were already overtaken by flames, as well as the roof of another structure at the zoo.
Zookeepers and veterinarians were there “within minutes to help rescue and care for approximately 20 other animals housed in the same area,” according to an official statement on RoersZoofari.com.
“Zoofari owner Vanessa Roer received the call at 5:30 p.m. from Fairfax County dispatch that the barn where the giraffes was housed in caught fire,” the zoo also wrote on social media. We are grateful that no staff members or other Zoofari animals were injured or lost.”
“Grief counselors are being made available for staff, who are devastated by this tragedy and who cared deeply for these members of the Zoofari family,” they added.
Park guests and staffers now mourn the loss of beloved giraffe Waffles, and his new as-yet-named companion who had only recently arrived at the zoo.
More than 500 zoogoers came to social media to pay their condolences to Waffles — often adding that he was a favorite attraction, especially among children.
“Waffles was a favorite with our visitors and our team. We are heartbroken,” said a spokesperson from Roer, according to their website. “We are so grateful that no person or other Zoofari animals were injured or lost. And we deeply appreciate the firefighters who came so quickly to help extinguish the fire.”
“Our team is so dedicated to the well-being of every animal, so when any are lost, it’s a very emotional time. We will be supporting each other through the healing,” they concluded.
Investigations into how the fire erupted are underway as the zoo remains closes until Friday, March 12.
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