Million dollars in fur lost in fire

An early morning fire Thursday in western P.E.I. has destroyed about a million dollars worth of mink pelts.

The pelts were being stored in a tractor-trailer. The Tignish fire department received the call about 5:15 a.m., saying that the trailer, which was parked next to the old Polar Foods plant in Anglo-Tignish, was burning.

"It was fully engulfed," said deputy fire chief Harley Perry, describing the situation when firefighters arrived.

"We got it out in a matter of about 20 minutes."

The pelts were owned by Casey Gavin of Silver Hill Fur Farm. The provincial fire marshal's office said electrical heaters likely sparked the fire.