By Jim Brown
jim@peicanada.com

Deputy Fire Marshal Robert Arsenault was unable to determine the cause and origin of a fire that consumed a barn and valuable equipment at a fox and mink ranch in Seacow Pond late Sunday afternoon and is returning Tuesday morning to continue his investigation.

Casey Gavin, owner of Silver Hill Fur Farm, estimates the damage at more than a million dollars.

But he considers himself lucky the damage wasn’t more devastating, considering there were homes and other structures in the area that could have caught fire. Many mink and foxes were housed nearby, as well as horses.

It was “a big hit”, but it could have been worse, he said.

He added he plans to grind up food for his animals at a nearby fish plant that he owns.

Mr Gavin was taken to hospital for smoke inhalation and later released.

Lost in the fire was feed for his foxes and mink, as well as a front end loader, a tractor, a fork lift, fresh eggs and valuable feeding equipment.

Fortunately, he has insurance, said Mr Gavin, who plans to rebuild.

He went on to say his mother dialed 911 at around 4 pm and firefighters from Tignish, Miminegash and Alberton arrived a short time later.

Mr Gavin said he was impressed with their response time and their work preventing the fire from spreading to neighbouring structures.

“They did a great job,” he said.