Officials probe cause of explosion in DC zoo mechanical area

March 17, 2016

The American Trail portion of the zoo has been closed while fire crews investigate.

Zoo spokeswoman Pamela Baker-Masson says a contractor working in a mechanical area next to the beaver and otter exhibits, smelled chlorine and left the area.

Fire department officials are responding to a report of an explosion at the National Zoo, but a zoo official says no people or animals are injured.

Chlorine is used in a water filtration system at the zoo, officials say. Wilson said the boom was loud, “It was significant enough that it alerted a lot of the zoo staff”. Murphy said the incident happened near an otter exhibit. “We cleared the area and DC fire is on scene and they’re investigating”. The trail houses beavers, seals, sea lions, bald eagles and other animals native to North America.