Tragic Fire at Krefeld Zoo

The fire at the zoo was reportedly started by a sky lantern. Three women who had released such lanterns turned themselves in.

Following the devastating fire at Krefeld Zoo, prosecutors are now investigating a 60-year-old woman from Krefeld and her two adult daughters. The three women had turned themselves in to police and stated that they had released five sky lanterns on New Year's Eve, representatives of the police and prosecution said at a press conference on Thursday.

It is assumed that one of these sky lanterns caused the fire in the ape house. This is currently being examined more closely to rule out other causes. The other four lanterns have been seized. The fire completely destroyed the ape house. Over 30 animals perished in the flames, including eight great apes. Only two chimpanzees could be rescued.

“Highly Honourable”

Chief Detective Inspector Gerd Hoppmann described it as “very courageous” and “highly honourable” that the three women, aged between 30 and 60, had turned themselves in to police. He said they were “completely ordinary, law-abiding citizens.” The three women had ordered the sky lanterns online and believed, according to their own statements, that it was permitted to release them on New Year's Eve. In fact, they are banned throughout Germany.

The three women are now being investigated for negligent arson, which carries a custodial or financial penalty. “As far as we are concerned, this incident has largely been resolved”, said Hoppmann.

Inadequate Safety Precautions

A fire department spokesperson said they were surprised by how quickly the roof of the monkey house had burned. There had been no sprinkler or fire alarm system, but this had not been required at the time of construction in 1975. A zoo spokesperson said the building was completely destroyed and the remains would be demolished once investigations had concluded. The zoo was expected to reopen on Friday. The site of the fire would be cordoned off to prevent «disaster tourism» as much as possible.

Uncontrollably open fire

In 2009, a ten-year-old boy died in Siegen after a house caught fire due to a sky lantern. The trial of a 23-year-old man on charges of negligent homicide and negligent arson was later dropped subject to conditions. The court found only minor culpability on the part of the man who had released the lantern. At the time, however, it had not yet been prohibited.

A fire expert testified in court at the time that releasing a sky lantern meant sending an uncontrollably open fire into the air. The lightweight paper casings could catch fire at any moment: «Then they come crashing down, burning like a torch. It is a true hellfire.» Such tragedies also raise questions about the keeping of wild animals in captivity .