There were no injuries to people, but fire destroyed an abandoned barn at a well-known farm in St. John's, and forced the city's animal welfare officers to put down three kittens and one cat discovered at the scene Monday. Another kitten found later survived.
Firefighters doused a fast-burning blaze at an abandoned wooden barn on the former O'Brien's farm in Pippy Park. The fire sent a high column of thick, black smoke above the northwest area of St. John's.
"We did an exterior attack on the barn and quickly brought the fire under control," said Capt. David Burry of the Kenmount Fire Station.
"We did have a couple of scorched areas, a little burning in the trees, which we quickly extinguished."
Dorothy King lives near the barn and was home when the fire started.
"I just saw smoke, large clouds of smoke, and as I watched, I saw the flames," King said
"Seeing the flames from my kitchen window was rather frightening, considering how dry everything is behind me, but I took it all in stride."
No one was hurt, and there was no further property damage. But firefighters and paramedics did find two kittens initially.
"One of them has a little bit of scorching, but the other one seems fine. Paramedics have them now and I've notified animal control and the SPCA to get these little guys," said Burry.
A paramedic produced one of the kittens as members of the media were holding a scrum with police about the fire. Nora Goodyear approached with a charred kitten wrapped in a snow-white blanket. It was breathing through an oxygen mask.
Reporters immediately broke off their interview with RNC Const. Paul Davis - while he was in mid-sentence - to swoop in for a photo opportunity with the kitten.
"This guy seems to be OK," said Goodyear, cradling the bundle. "The firefighters got them out. I think this one ran out scared. His ears are singed. We called the SPCA."
Only the kitten's head and shoulders were visible from underneath the blanket. The tips of its fur were blackened and charred.
An official with the city later confirmed the two kittens had to be put down.
Surviving kitten doing well
Humane Services staff visited the site later Monday and discovered one adult cat dead. They also removed three other live kittens. Two of those kittens also had to be put down, but one has survived and is doing well, according to Cindy McGrath, St. John's director of humane services
Officials plan to return to the farm Tuesday to look for other cats.
"We hope if we do find some, that they're not harmed," said McGrath.
It was the second fire at that location in as many days.
"There was a fire here (Sunday) night around 7 p.m.," said Davis. "(then), a caretaker who's responsible for the property arrived (Monday) morning and he saw two young people running from the area. They're described as two boys, who we believe to be teenagers - both wearing ball caps. Obviously, that adds to what we believe caused this fire. We don't know at this point in time if this is a case of arson or not, but knowing that two people were seen running from the area is obviously a concern for us."
Pippy Park's operations manager, Bob Halfyard, had hurried to the scene, worried the fire would engulf other parts of the park.
He is upset at the loss of the barn because Pippy Park is trying to convince the provincial government to designate the former O'Brien farm a heritage site.
"It's probably one of the last few remnants of the farming heritage of the city of St. John's. It's very important to try to preserve the house. Now we see the barn is practically gone. It's not a good day," said Halfyard.
The farm's owner - Aloysius (Allie) O'Brien - was 93 when he died last year. The homestead, called Thimble Cottage, is more than 110 years old. The family farm dates back to the 1840s. The O'Briens sold milk and root vegetables until 1997.
Halfyard said the fire in the empty barn underscores the need for heritage protection.
"If you're getting people coming in and starting fires deliberately or accidentally, then you need to have someone here all the time making sure it's secure. It's cause for concern," he said.
pwalsh@thetelegram.com
Single kitten survives fire
Photo left, Paramedic Nora Goodyear holds one of several kittens found in a burning barn off Oxen Pond Road Monday morning. The cause of the fire was suspicious. The cats were sent to the SPCA, where all but one succumbed to their injuries. Top right, Fir
- Published on June 9th, 2009
- Published on June 30th, 2010
-
Peter Walsh
Police suspect arsonists started barn blaze
There were no injuries to people, but fire destroyed an abandoned barn at a well-known farm in St. John's, and forced the city's animal welfare officers to put down three kittens and one cat discovered at the scene Monday. Another kitten found later survived.
Firefighters doused a fast-burning blaze at an abandoned wooden barn on the former O'Brien's farm in Pippy Park. The fire sent a high column of thick, black smoke above the northwest area of St. John's.
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Comments
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- H
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:33:54
This story just brought tears to my eyes! It's so amazing to see someone like Ms. Goodyear recognizing the animals needs like that. Heaven forbid anything ever happen at my house, I'd want Ms. Goodyear there to care for my puppy! This is the most touching story I've read here in a long time :)
-
- The Real
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:32:20
To the imposter, get your own moniquer.
Wait, Nasty Nate, is that you??
Must be, I can smell your bad taste from here. -
- Ted
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:31:38
I'm amazed at the number of low-lifes we have in the city setting fires/ vandalizing property etc.... We need ot do away with the Young Offenders Act and start treating them as adults... and for any of the bleeding hearts out there who want to coddle these brats, don't bother replying, we've heard it all before.
-
- Al
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:23:51
Ted M you are so right. Do away with the young offenders act and lock these people up the same as they would do to you and me. When I was a teen I knew the difference between right and wrong and no doubt these a!@#$%^s do to
-
- get them!
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:20:30
If anybody was witness to suspicious activity, please inform the police ASAP.
This could be your home, arsonsits are sick people who do not give a dam about the destruction they cause.
People who derive satisfaction from this type of behaviour need to be removed from society and put where they are no danger to us. -
- Telling it like it is
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:17:40
i hope they saved some mice and rats from that fire too, oh yeah, and some insects
-
- Telling it like it is
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:16:16
b, my point is that all life is precious, not just stray cats, but wild indigenous animals and insects who've been there long before irresponsible humans set loose their pets. so quit the bleeding heart tripout for cats and only cats, they are no more special than a shrew, and are quite often a nuisance animal when illegally set free to stray the neighbourhoods. that's my point since you are too dense to understand.
stray cat:
1st offence $45
2nd offence $75
3rd offence $150 and animal euthanized
NUFF SAID -
- b
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:15:04
Telling it like it is from Mount Pearl, NL writes: i hope they saved some mice and rats from that fire too, oh yeah, and some insects
And your point (or lack thereof) is? -
- b
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:14:02
Telling it like it is from Mount Pearl, NL
I guess a cat must have peed in your cornflakes.
I do agree that, If not for irresponsible pet owners there would be no strays, cat or otherwise.
The REAL nuisance would appear to be irresponsible humans, not stray pets.
I have taken in three stray cats and given them a good home. In return they give me joy and from time to time a few laughs at their antics.
If you find this news story annoying, that's your problem.
NUFF SAID -
- Rebecca
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:10:42
This whole situation is disgusting and the fact that a person(s) had the nerve to set this beautiful and historical farm on fire is unforgivable. I hope they are caught and dealt with (and not with a slap on the wrist). I hope the rest of this land is protected with a historical designation as I would hate to see someone else try and burn it down or, just as bad, some developer tear it all down along with every tree in sight... this is a shame and I hope the City will try and protect the rest of this property.
-
- H
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:22:48
This story just brought tears to my eyes! It's so amazing to see someone like Ms. Goodyear recognizing the animals needs like that. Heaven forbid anything ever happen at my house, I'd want Ms. Goodyear there to care for my puppy! This is the most touching story I've read here in a long time :)
-
- The Real
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:21:13
To the imposter, get your own moniquer.
Wait, Nasty Nate, is that you??
Must be, I can smell your bad taste from here. -
- Ted
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:20:16
I'm amazed at the number of low-lifes we have in the city setting fires/ vandalizing property etc.... We need ot do away with the Young Offenders Act and start treating them as adults... and for any of the bleeding hearts out there who want to coddle these brats, don't bother replying, we've heard it all before.
-
- Al
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:09:03
Ted M you are so right. Do away with the young offenders act and lock these people up the same as they would do to you and me. When I was a teen I knew the difference between right and wrong and no doubt these a!@#$%^s do to
-
- get them!
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:03:18
If anybody was witness to suspicious activity, please inform the police ASAP.
This could be your home, arsonsits are sick people who do not give a dam about the destruction they cause.
People who derive satisfaction from this type of behaviour need to be removed from society and put where they are no danger to us. -
- Telling it like it is
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:58:29
i hope they saved some mice and rats from that fire too, oh yeah, and some insects
-
- Telling it like it is
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:56:13
b, my point is that all life is precious, not just stray cats, but wild indigenous animals and insects who've been there long before irresponsible humans set loose their pets. so quit the bleeding heart tripout for cats and only cats, they are no more special than a shrew, and are quite often a nuisance animal when illegally set free to stray the neighbourhoods. that's my point since you are too dense to understand.
stray cat:
1st offence $45
2nd offence $75
3rd offence $150 and animal euthanized
NUFF SAID -
- b
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:54:22
Telling it like it is from Mount Pearl, NL writes: i hope they saved some mice and rats from that fire too, oh yeah, and some insects
And your point (or lack thereof) is? -
- b
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:52:40
Telling it like it is from Mount Pearl, NL
I guess a cat must have peed in your cornflakes.
I do agree that, If not for irresponsible pet owners there would be no strays, cat or otherwise.
The REAL nuisance would appear to be irresponsible humans, not stray pets.
I have taken in three stray cats and given them a good home. In return they give me joy and from time to time a few laughs at their antics.
If you find this news story annoying, that's your problem.
NUFF SAID -
- Rebecca
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:46:53
This whole situation is disgusting and the fact that a person(s) had the nerve to set this beautiful and historical farm on fire is unforgivable. I hope they are caught and dealt with (and not with a slap on the wrist). I hope the rest of this land is protected with a historical designation as I would hate to see someone else try and burn it down or, just as bad, some developer tear it all down along with every tree in sight... this is a shame and I hope the City will try and protect the rest of this property.
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