Fire at wildlife center destroys building, killing animals
A fire Monday morning destroyed the main clinic building at Red Creek Wildlife Center in Schuylkill County, killing a number of animals, and the center now needs help to care for the animals that survived.
All the animals under temporary medical care were killed, the nonprofit center said in a Facebook post.
No people were hurt, and animals kept at Red Creek but not housed in the clinic were not injured.
The facility did not specify what animals died or how many.
The center is a few miles from Schuylkill Haven in Wayne Township and is a licensed wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility that treats approximately 4,000 injured and abandoned animals each year, including foxes, tortoises and bald eagles.
For years it has assisted with wildlife rescues across Pennsylvania and provides education and certification to wildlife capture and transport volunteers
throughout the state.
The fire started about 8 a.m. Photos posted online show the building engulfed
in flames and smoke.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Red Creek is scheduled
to break ground on a facility next year, and officials said they will make an announcement about those plans.
But the center needs monetary donations in the meantime, officials said, because it lost its freezer and the animal food being stored there. It is now seeking donations through its website, redcreekwildlifecenter.com.
Other Pennsylvania rehabilitation centers are assisting with food, medicine and care for the remaining animals, Red Creek officials said.
Fresh Start Animal Rescue, a nonprofit organization in Schuylkill County, began a fundraiser Monday to help Red Creek buy animal food and supplies it badly needs.
Fresh Start said it also sent a veterinarian to help with the surviving animals.
“They do amazing work and our area cannot afford to not have them around,” a Fresh Start official said in a video posted on its Facebook page. “When we get neglect calls and they are wild [animals], these people step up and help.”
The goal is to raise at least $10,000.
“It’s a very sad situation,” Fresh Start officials said. “They do great things for all of the wild animals.”
To donate, go to square. link/u/ITLGkZnB.
Fire officials were unavailable for comment.