Woodland Park Zoo Fire: Department Releases New Details, Photos

SEATTLE, WA - Fire officials released the latest details about the Thursday fire at the Woodland Park Zoo in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood, revealing that two firefighters were injured responding to the emergency.

The fire broke out around 3:15 inside a vacant building in the center of the zoo. The building, formerly known as the nocturnal house, was damaged to the tune of $1.5 million, fire officials estimated. There were no animals inside at the time of the fire, but some zoo inhabitants near the burning building had to be moved by staff and firefighters.

Two firefighters sustained minor injuries. One was burned, and another was injured after possibly coming into contact with an electrical panel. They were both treated and released from Harborview Medical Center.

Fire officials said on Thursday that the fire started inside a wall and spread to the building's attic. The exact cause of the fire was unknown. Because the building was damaged and partially collapsed, officials could not safely investigate. Crews were on scene monitoring for hot spots until 7:30 a.m. Friday.

Images via John Olegard, Seattle Fire Department