LONDON, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Thirteen monkeys died Tuesday in a fire that swept through a safari park northwest of Britain's capital, officials said.

The fire broke out in the early hours in the patas monkey house within the jungle drive-through enclosure at Woburn Safari Park, located in the town of Milton Keynes.

"Devastatingly for everyone at the park, none of the 13 animals could be saved," a spokesman for the park said in a statement.

Early signs suggested that all other animals had not been affected, the spokesman added.

Officials said an investigation into the cause of the fire was under way. The jungle drive-through enclosure was closed while other areas of the park remained open, they said.

The 150-hectare (1.5-square km) safari park, opened in 1970 and housing various wildlife including elephants, zebras and lions, is part of the estate of the Duke of Bedford, which also features Woburn Abbey, one of Britain's best-known royal homes.