Fire Damages Frankford's Barn Hill Preserve. No Zoo Animals Were Injured.

Otters swim in Burn Hill Preserve in Frankford.

No animals were injured, but three new paddocks at Burn Hill Preserve in Frankford were damaged in a fire on Valentine's Day.

According to a Facebook post by the Millville Volunteer Fire Company, firefighters arrived at 34215 Peppers Corner Road shortly before 6:00 p.m. on February 14 and found the container "actively involved" in the fire. Reports said one of the firefighters was taken to the hospital for check-ups.

The Burn Hill website claims it is a small zoo with 35 types of exotic animals. Perhaps best known for bathing with otters. Many of Burn Hill's animals are rescue animals.

The state fire department's office did not immediately respond to an investigation, but according to Burn Hill spokesman Zach Bova, the fire was started by a faulty heating pad or heating pad. According to Bove, both were in Alex's alligator enclosure, but neither escaped because Alex had previously been evacuated over the winter.

Three animal enclosures were damaged in a fire on February 14, 2023 at Barn Hill Preserve in Frankford. No animals were harmed.

More on Barn Hill: Swim with otters, do yoga with kangaroos and breakfast with monkeys at this Delaware zoo.

The fire also affected a coral reef adjacent to the enclosures of four Asiatic otters and two great eagle owls. Bova said they were inside at the time but unharmed.

According to Bova, the reserve's fence was built recently, so it has not been insured. The company created a GoFundMe to cover the loss.

Barn Hill is currently closed for the season but will open in April.

Shannon Marvel McNutt talks Sussex and beyond. You can reach him at smcnaught@gannett.com or tweet @MarvelMcNaught.

This article first appeared in the Delaware News Journal: Fire ravages Frankford's Burn Hill. No zoo animals were harmed.