A thousand pets killed in breeding centre blaze

More than 1,000 animals - mostly guinea pigs - have died after a fire at a pet breeding centre in Devon, police said.

Officers were called to a "significant fire" at the animal breeding centre in Lewdown, Okehampton, at 1.45am on Tuesday.

The centre is used for breeding domestic pets, Devon and Cornwall Police said.

A force spokesman said: "The fire has resulted in the death of over 1,000 animals, mostly believed to be guinea pigs.

"The cause of the fire has not been established and fire and police investigators are in the process of conducting investigation and inquiries."

Police said it was too early to say whether the fire was arson.

Four sheds used to house the animals are understood to have been destroyed in the blaze.