Peter Hennessy

A fire at Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World near Telford killed three personal pets—a group of stick insects, a hedgehog and a snake—and gutted the zoo office. Owner Will Dorrell said his wife and father were treated for smoke inhalation and released, while praising Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service for preventing the blaze from spreading to nearby buildings and animal enclosures. The fire’s cause remains unknown, and the zoo expects to reopen while contacting affected visitors to rearrange bookings.

A major incident was declared after a large, wind-driven wildfire spread across Dunwich Heath on the Suffolk coast near Sizewell B nuclear power station. About 90 firefighters were deployed, while the public was urged to avoid the area, keep roads clear and close windows and doors if smoke was nearby. The fire occurred during an amber heat-health alert issued by the UK Health Security Agency. A separate wildfire in the Cairngorms had been brought under greater control, although Scottish Fire and Rescue Service warned that flare-ups remained possible and highlighted the damage to wildlife and the local community.