The crews took cover as they doused flames on a 100-yard patch of grass at the West Midlands Safari Park, near Bewdley, Worcestershire.

Park wardens had to stand guard to protect the fire crews from the two-tonne beasts.

One senior fire officer said the presence of the rhinos was worrying but the crews were confident that park staff would protect them.

In a normal house fire the worst thing we get is an irate dog

Leading Fire fighter Wayne Berry

"The rhino's first reaction was to stay away from the fire but they are quite inquisitive," said leading firefighter Wayne Berry.

"There were a couple of charges and the keepers shouted for crews to get back on to their fire appliances.

"Staff at the park are very well trained and we had complete confidence that they would keep us safe."

Flames leapt 20 feet into the air spreading to trees but fire crews managed to stop the flames just feet away from the rhinos' hut.

The fire, which broke out on Sunday afternoon, was under control within 20 minutes, said Mr Berry.

"This was a little bit different. In a normal house fire the worst thing we get is an irate dog," he said.

"I'd much rather face a dog than a rhino.

"The worry was not so much for the personnel but for the appliances.

"If a rhino barged one of the engines they would do a lot of damage.

"But the park staff did a wonderful job in rounding them up."

Alarmed by noise

Head Warden Bob Lawrence said: "The rhinos were rushing around and they got a bit close to the fire engines but there was no great problem.

"The noise of the engines, the smoke and crackling from the fire just alarmed the young ones who are not quite as steady as the older ones."

He said the fire started on private land next to the park and spread over the park fence.

A 50-yard stretch of fence would have to be replaced, costing about £1,000, he said.

The park remained open while the fire was put out.