SEVEN adults and a child were hauled to safety from a blazing safari van at Longleat on Sunday.

Safari Park staff were alerted when smoke was seen billowing from a Dodge van in the Deer Park.

A team of keepers rescued the eight occupants taking them to a safe area and the emergency services were called.

Head warden Keith Harris said; "The smoke quickly turned to flames and by the time the fire service arrived it was ablaze and could not be saved. Fire crews then extinguished the fire and made the vehicle safe.

"Other vehicles were diverted away from the scene and keepers ensured no animals were able to approach the burning vehicle.

"We are confident that even if this incident had happened in the lion reserve, we would have still had the same safe outcome."

None of the animals or day-trippers were injured.

Mr Harris said: "Everyone reacted extremely well and we would like to thank the occupants of the car for staying calm, which obviously made our job that much easier.

"Incidents like this underline the vital importance of our training procedures.

"Although the vehicle was destroyed no one was injured and I would like to praise both our staff and the fire service for the speedy and efficient way they dealt with what was a potentially extremely serious incident."