Latest news with #ErinWiggle
CBS News
21 hours ago
- General
- CBS News
Fire that killed dozens of animals at Pennsylvania goat rescue linked to electrical issue, owners say
Owners of the Montgomery County animal rescue House of Wiggle Goats says a massive fire that killed dozens of animals and damaged their farm was the result of an electrical issue. In a Facebook post shared two days after the fire tore through the animal sanctuary and its historic barn, House of Wiggle Goats said it appears "there may have been a mouse nest behind the electrical breaker box which started the fire," and that insurance will cover the cost to rebuild. "It wasn't arson, there was no foul play involved," owner Erin Wiggle said in a video. Barn destroyed in fire at House of Wiggle Goats animal rescue in Lansdale, Pennsylvania CBS Philadelphia The fire broke out around 3 a.m. on Wednesday, May 28 at the property on Weber Road in Lansdale. About 40 animals were unaccounted for and likely did not survive, Wiggle told CBS News Philadelphia. Another dozen animals were treated for burns and smoke inhalation at PennVet's New Bolton Center Campus and Quakertown's Vet Hospital. On May 31, the sanctuary posted that a goat named Jackie Chan was the first to "bust out of the hospital." Fire burning at House of Wiggle Goats in Lansdale, Pennsylvania CBS Philadelphia In the days following the fire, several area rescues took in multiple animals to ease the burden on owners Erin and Michael Wiggle. "The community was exceptional, I can't say enough," Michael said. "The first responders they got here, they got onto the fire, and then just so many different friends, people we didn't even know just showed up to help. ... It was just amazing."
CBS News
5 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Philadelphia-area community comes together to help Wiggle Goats, animal rescue damaged in fire
A Montgomery County community is now rallying around a local farm after it was damaged in a fire Wednesday night. Flames ripped through the barn at House of Wiggle Goats on Weber Road around 3 a.m., damaging the building and scattering dozens of animals, including some who are still unaccounted for. Some farm animals were taken to local veterinary facilities for treatment and others that got away from the fire have made their way back to the farm, said owner Erin Wiggle. "We have had some animals show back up that we think got off the property during the chaos of the fire and everything," Wiggle said. "That is giving me hope that hopefully more animals will continue to return." Other local farms also stepped up to help, including Rose Bridge Farm in Dresher, Pennsylvania. The farm posted on Facebook that it was fostering multiple goats from the Wiggles. "Please keep all the animals in your prayers that they all recover comfortably," Rose Bridge Farm said on Facebook. Owner Michael Wiggle thanked Rose Bridge Farm and everyone who came to help Wednesday. "The community was exceptional, I can't say enough," Michael Wiggle said. "The first responders they got here, they got onto the fire, and then just so many different friends, people we didn't even know just showed up to help. ... It was just amazing." Another farm, Ross Mill Farm, shared they were taking care of 11 pigs rescued from the fire. Erin Wiggle said part of her wanted to run into the burning barn, but she ultimately stopped herself, knowing it wouldn't have been safe. "The part of you that owns all the animals wants to go in and save them, but the rational part of you knows there's no way you can go into that burning fire," she said. As they rebuild, donations are being accepted online at
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
House of Wiggle fire: Owner speaks out after devastating fire kills dozens of animals
The Brief There is precious little left of a beloved farm animal rescue in Montgomery County after a fire ripped through and destroyed it, killing dozens of animals. The owner spoke with FOX 29 of the heartbreaking loss at the property and suggested they won't quit, despite their loss. UPPER GWYNEDD TOWNSHIP, Pa. - Flames poured from a barn of a Montgomery County animal rescue Wednesday morning, destroying the structure and killing dozens of animals, while injuring several others. Devastating scene Smoke rises from the rubble of the barn that's served as a sanctuary for farm animals in Montgomery County for eight years. Known as the House of Wiggle, Goats Farm Animal Rescue and Sanctuary in Lansdale, it was early Wednesday morning when a motorist on the nearby turnpike noticed flames and called 911. "This has to be heartbreaking for you?" FOX 29's Jeff Cole asked. "This is absolutely devastating," owner Erin Wiggle replied. "This is every farmer's worst nightmare. This is the reason we get up in the morning to do what we do. Now it's been swished away from us." What we know With no hydrants nearby, the fire crews had to haul water to battle the flames that collapsed the barn built in 1857. About 120 farm animals were on the property, many inside the barn when the floor gave (way). Wiggle explained, "We had about 40 losses, most of them being goats, a couple of pigs when the floor collapsed that trapped a lot of them in the barn." As firefighters doused hot spots Wednesday morning, volunteers moved some of the surviving animals to temporary new homes while others, injured in the blaze, were taken for veterinary care. Big picture view Volunteer Allyson Stephens came to help, saying, "It made my stomach hurt. It's gut-wrenching to see something like that, especially folks who are trying to help animals." Erin Wiggle and her husband, both retired from the military, say this sanctuary is a true labor of love supported by their grit and the generosity of the like-minded. They say a barn will rise again as they go on with their mission. "It's just - it's going to be a lot, and I don't know how we'll recover, but we'll recover, we'll rebuild. We're going to get right back at it," Wiggle said. What you can do Perkiomen Feed Company is currently accepting donations for feed, bedding and supplies to help the affected animals. A GoFundMe page has also been set up to help the Wiggle family, and support the animals' care after the fire.
CBS News
5 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Dozens of animals killed, several injured after barn fire at animal rescue in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Dozen of animals killed, several injured after barn fire at animal rescue in Montgomery County Dozen of animals killed, several injured after barn fire at animal rescue in Montgomery County Dozen of animals killed, several injured after barn fire at animal rescue in Montgomery County A fast-moving fire ripped through a barn at an animal rescue in Montgomery County early Wednesday morning, killing dozens of animals and injuring several others. "Sheer panic because I knew I couldn't run in there after them," said Erin Wiggle, who owns House of Wiggle Goats. Wiggle said she woke up to the sound of sirens and every farm owner's worst nightmare. The main barn near her home, which houses dozens of animals, was engulfed in flames. "I knew the doors were open and if they could've gotten out, they could, but unfortunately, the floor fell and we did lose quite a few animals when the floor fell on them," Wiggle said. The fire sparked at the House of Wiggle Goats, an animal rescue and sanctuary on Weber Road in Lansdale, around 3 a.m. Wednesday. Wiggle said a driver on the turnpike called 911, but the damage was already done. About 40 animals remain unaccounted for and likely did not survive. "I'm looking at the groups and I'm seeing that this one's friend is not with them, so it's starting to register the specific animals that have been lost," she said. About a dozen animals are now being treated for burns and smoke inhalation at PennVet's New Bolton Center Campus and Quakertown's Vet Hospital. Wiggle and her husband started the animal rescue about eight years ago, caring for goats, chickens, pigs and other animals. The barn, built in 1857, has been left gutted. "The ups, the downs, but I'm going to say this community has come together like nothing I've ever seen before," Wiggle said. Volunteers from nearby farms and other rescues have been collecting donations and dropping off supplies, and they launched a fundraising campaign to help Wiggle care for the animals that survived. "I rescue pigs also. It's a very tight-knit community, so we all know each other, and it's just devastating what happened here, and we're trying to save as many animals as we can," said Allyson Stephens. "The good is going to outweigh the bad, and we're going to rebuild, and we're going to keep at it," Wiggle said. Wiggle added that investigators told her the fire was likely electrical in nature and appeared accidental, but the exact cause remains under investigation.
