A POPULAR zoo was evacuated after a large fire tore through a nearby field.
Visitors to Drusillas Park, East Sussex, had to leave after flames took hold on dry grassland at Berwick Court Farm this afternoon.
No humans or animals were injured, the park said.
Firefighters were called to the farm off Alfriston Road, Berwick, just before 3pm, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said.
Traffic on the A27 was "badly affected" by the smoke and motorists were advised to avoid the area.
Video posted online showed long lines of flames and dark columns of smoke filling the air.
The fire service said it "scaled down" its operation at around 6.30pm, with one Land Rover and four officers remaining to check there are no remaining hot spots.
A park statement said: "We are happy to say we safely evacuated all visitors and no damage has occurred to the park. All of our animals are safe and well.
"The park will be open as usual tomorrow."
It comes as dry conditions and sweltering temperatures have led to a number of grass fires across the UK.
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