Latest news with #HouseofWiggleGoats
CBS News
02-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
More than a dozen feral cats killed in barn fire at PAWSibilities Animal Rescue in Harleysville
Another Montgomery County animal rescue is reeling after a fire destroyed its barn in Harleysville, Pennsylvania, on Sunday. In a Facebook post, PAWSibilities Animal Rescue said a fire "consumed" the barn at owner Sam Carroll's home on June 1. The barn housed her farm animals and colony of feral barn cats, but also served as a storage facility for the sanctuary. "Some of Sam's cats were inside the barn at the time of the fire, but the Fire Marshall assured us they didn't suffer due to the nature of the quick-moving blaze," the post said. Carroll told CBS News Philadelphia that 15 cats were killed in the fire, but other animals, including horses, chickens and a pig, were able to escape. Volunteers are still searching for five more missing cats. Barn at PAWSibilities Animal Rescue destroyed by fire CBS Philadelphia The animal rescue — a nonprofit, no-kill shelter — said it currently doesn't need any immediate help, but will eventually share a wish list of supplies and donations. The fire at PAWSibilities comes just days after a massive blaze consumed a historic barn and killed dozens of animals at House of Wiggle Goats in Lansdale. The rescue's owners said an electrical issue sparked the fire on May 28. "It wasn't arson, there was no foul play involved," owner Erin Wiggle said in a video posted on May 30.
CBS News
02-06-2025
- 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
28-05-2025
- 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.
