THE owners of a zoo that was engulfed by fire are "absolutely devastated" by the loss of animals and are as yet unclear as to the full impact of the blaze.

Dozens of animals and reptiles were killed yesterday when fire broke out at the Five Sisters Zoo at Polbeth in West Lothian.

The fire service was called at 3.50am when a blaze described as "ferocious" by Lesley Coupar, the zoo's spokeswoman, broke out in the single-storey reptile house.

At one point there were 55 firefighters and up to 11 appliances on the scene as high winds threatened to spread the flames to other buildings in the complex.

Geckos, snakes and iguanas, as well as some small mammals, have died, although the full death toll is not yet known.

It is not thought any animals in the affected building will have survived, with full details likely to be unknown until it is safe for zoo staff to enter the area.

Ms Coupar said: "Miraculously, two dwarf West African crocodiles did survive by going underwater in their pond."

Two meerkats and a female otter have also been saved, though a male otter has died. The fire was brought under control before it could destroy the zoo's cafe or soft play areas.

Ms Coupar said owners Brian and Shirley Curran were "absolutely devastated" by the fire. They live on site and it was they who alerted the fire service.

Ms Coupar added: "It's been their life's work building the zoo and caring for the animals. We are devastated. It's the worst nightmare. We're in the business of rescuing animals. To look now at the shell of the reptile house and everything gone from there, it's just the worst tragedy ever."

Investigations are ongoing as to the cause of the fire although it is not thought to be suspicious. Early indications are that the blaze may have been caused by a heating unit inside the building, which will now have to be demolished. No-one was injured.

Messages of support flooded in via social media and a message on the zoo's website said: "Unfortunately lives have been lost but amazingly the crocodiles, housed next to the reptile house, have survived, thankfully. One of our beloved otters has died, but the female is being cared for by the vet."