Deliberate fire near former Living Coasts prompts investigation

Emergency services have confirmed that a fire near the former Living Coasts site in Torquay is believed to have been started deliberately.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said crews from Torquay and Paignton stations were called to the incident at 6:41pm on Friday 23 May.

Photos and videos shared on social media appeared to show smoke and flames near the former coastal zoo, with some users speculating that the enclosure's netting had caught alight.

Above: Image: Paul Westwood

However, the fire service clarified that the blaze involved a small pile of rubbish on a grassed area outside the enclosure, not the netting.

A spokesperson said: "At 18:41 on Friday 23 May, crews from Torquay and Paignton attended an incident at Living Coasts in Torquay, where a small pile of rubbish had been set alight on a grass area outside the enclosure. The fire was extinguished using two jets and is believed to have been started deliberately."

Above: Image: Paul Westwood

Devon and Cornwall Police said enquiries are ongoing and no arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or via the force website, quoting reference 50250130396.

Paignton Zoo, which is operated by the Wild Planet Trust, thanked the public for their messages of support, adding: "It is greatly appreciated."

The trust, which has been working with Torbay Council to redevelop the waterfront site, has signed an exclusivity agreement with ARC Marine to potentially turn it into a Marine Restoration Centre.