LONDON, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- A large-scale evacuation of animals and visitors got underway at Chester Zoo in northern England after a huge fire broke out Saturday.

Flames were seen rising from part of the zoo complex.

Visitors told local media how they had seen orangutans and gibbons wrapped in blankets rescued by keepers as flames swept through its Monsoon Forest habitat, home to animals from southeast Asia.

The Monsoon Forest area is home to free flight birds, Sumatran orangutans, macaques and crocodiles.

Local media in Liverpool said free flight birds, Sumatran orangutans, macaques and crocodiles were amazingly all led to safety following the blaze by heroic staff and firefighters.

In a brief statement Chester Zoo said the attraction, one of the most popular in Britain, has been closed.

"We can confirm that the fire brigade is currently fighting the fire. Visitors have been evacuated and our response team is working alongside emergency services to bring the situation under control," said a spokesman at the zoo.

Cheshire Fire Brigade, which sent 15 fire engines to the zoo, said all animals had been accounted for. Emergency ambulances were also called, but only one casualty, a person suffering from smoke inhalation, was reported.

Chester Zoo has more than 21,000 animals of 500 different species, and carries out animal conservation work across the world to help preserve threatened species.