Nine bears die in Ankara circus fire

ANKARA - Anatolia News Agency

DHA Photo

Nine bears were killed in Ankara when a fire started in the shelter where the circus animals were kept during their stay in the city.

The bears were housed in a closed gym that had been turned into a temporary shelter for the circus animals. The fire began late at night, and nine bears were killed by smoke poisoning by the time firefighters managed to clear the area of flames.

Officials said they were grieved by the incident but failed to provide a cause for the fire.

Ankara Mayor Melih Gökçek said he had just arrived in the city and had not yet received enough technical information to comment on the incident.

The circus will continue performing in Ankara, officials said.