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P.E.I. farm owner overwhelmed by community support after barn fire

The owner of a petting farm in rural Prince Edward Island says she is overwhelmed and deeply grateful for the support from the local community one week after a fire destroyed one of the farm’s barns.

‘I'm from away, but I feel like an Islander these last few days’

Thinh Nguyen · CBC News ·

Owner of P.E.I. animal sanctuary hopes to rebuild barn that burned, costing some animals their lives

2 days ago
Duration 1:42
Emily Oliver and her family rescue abused and neglected animals, often taking in pets that people can no longer care for. After a devastating fire on Feb. 10, the Oliver Ohana Farm in Oyster Bed Bridge is feeling the love from Prince Edward Islanders rushing to help. Nicola MacLeod reports.

The owner of a petting farm in rural Prince Edward Island says she is overwhelmed and deeply grateful for the support from the local community one week after a fire destroyed one of the farm's barns.

Emily Oliver, who runs the Oliver Ohana Farm in Oyster Bed Bridge, said her family rescues abused and neglected animals, often taking in pets that people can no longer care for.

On the evening of Feb. 10, a fire broke out in one of the farm's barns. Some animals died in the blaze.

Since then, Oliver said the outpouring of support from neighbours, Islanders and even people from other provinces has been "absolutely outstanding."

"People are plowing the lane for us, just because there's so much going on we can't get the snowblower out," Oliver told CBC News.

"I still have about hundreds of messages I'm still trying to filter through. I'm from away, but I feel like an Islander these last few days."

A barn on fire at night with flames lighting up the sky and a smaller snow-covered wooden structure in the foreground
A fire broke out in one of the barns at the Oliver Ohana Farm on the evening of Feb. 10, destroying the structure and claiming the lives of several rescued animals. (Submitted by Emily Oliver)

The farm typically takes in 20 to 30 animals each year, she said. Currently, they have about 40 animals remaining, many of them goats.

A previous employee also set up an online fundraising page to help the farm. It has raised nearly $10,000.

"I work full time at the Salvation Army, so I'm usually the one that's helping … and then to be on the other side of things and receiving the community support, it's mind-blowing," Oliver said.

Person wearing a fire department cap with a chicken on their arm in front of a barn
This chicken, perched on Emily Oliver's shoulder, was among the rescued animals that died in the fire. (Submitted by Emily Oliver)

"The community definitely makes us want to rebuild and take in more animals."

Police believe the fire was accidental and caused by an electrical issue, according to an RCMP release.

'Every farmer's worst nightmare'

Oliver, who is also a volunteer firefighter, said despite responding to fires in the past, nothing prepared her for what she saw that night.

Firefighters took about two hours to extinguish the blaze, but the barn was destroyed in just 20 minutes, she said.

Burned remains of a structure in a snowy landscape with smoke rising, surrounded by trees
Oliver is now working with her insurance company to deal with the aftermath and is hopeful the barn can be rebuilt. (Submitted by Emily Oliver)

Among the animals lost was a stallion, a bull calf, chickens and pigs.

"When you go to a fire, you pack up the hoses and you leave. You don't know what happens after. So this is definitely a new experience," she said. "It's every farmer's worst nightmare."

Oliver said she is now working with her insurance company to deal with the aftermath and is hopeful the barn can be rebuilt.

With files from Nicola MacLeod

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