Valencia tourist warning as fire breaks out at Europe’s largest aquarium
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The blaze at Europe’s largest aquarium started at about 10.30am local time as plumes of thick black smoke were seen rising from the building. Fire services and police are at the scene and
the fire is reported to be under control. The public were promptly evacuated from the attraction and there are no reports of any injuries, with none of the 45,000 animals being harmed in the
blaze.
The cause of the fire is not yet known and the exact location of where the blaze broke out is unclear.
Tom Parker, 38, who is on holiday in the Spanish city said the fire was “pretty bad”, with the air stinking of burning plastic.
He told Mirror Online: “We started to queue and looked up and saw massive plumes of black smoke and then the fire.
“It was a pretty bad one actually.
“There was a strong smell of plastic in the air.”
But despite all the commotion Mr Parker said the evacuation was “calm”, adding: “The authorities handled things well and the Spanish don’t often do things quickly anyway.”
Roads nearby to the aquarium, located in the east of the city, have been shut and a cordon remains in place.
People have taken to social media to share images of the blaze, with photos showing black smoke pouring high into the sky.
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The aquarium is home to around 45,000 animals and boasts 500 difference species, including fish, mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates.
It was opened in 2003 and features a dolphinrium, underwater restaurant and a research centre.
L’Oceanogràfic has a water capacity of 42,000,000 litres and the sea water is pumped from beaches nearby.
The building itself looks very impressive, having been designed by architect Felix Candela.
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