No animals were harmed, but three of the newest enclosures at Barn Hill Preserve in Frankford were damaged in a Valentine’s Day fire.
Firefighters responded to 34215 Peppers Corner Road just before 6 p.m. Feb. 14 and found the enclosure “well involved” in fire, according to a Facebook post from the Millville Volunteer Fire Company. One firefighter was taken to a hospital for evaluation, the post said.
Barn Hill is a small zoological park, home to 35 different species of exotic animals, its website says. It’s perhaps best known for offering swims with otters. Many of the animals at Barn Hill are rescue animals.
The state fire marshal’s office did not immediately respond to requests for information, but according to Barn Hill spokesperson Zach Bova, the fire started due to a heating pad or heating lamp malfunction. Both were in the enclosure of Alex the alligator, but neither was on because Alex had previously been relocated for the winter, Bova said.
More about Barn Hill:This Delaware zoo has swimming with otters, yoga with kangaroos & breakfast with monkeys
The fire also affected a wall adjoining the enclosures of four Asian small-clawed otters and two great eagle owls. They were inside at the time but uninjured, Bova said.
The enclosures at the preserve were so recently built they were not yet insured, according to Bova. The business has created a GoFundMe to recoup the loss.
Barn Hill is currently closed for the season but will reopen in April.
Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on Sussex County and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught
