Nearly a year after a tragic fire that claimed the lives of dozens of animals, operators of a Chatham-Kent animal sanctuary woke up to a terrifying and all too familiar sight on Sunday morning.
Around 1 a.m. Sunday, the owner of Charlotte's Freedom Farm noticed flames on the organization's Brook Line property.
According to a post on Charlotte's Freedom Farm's Facebook page, an empty trailer at the back of the property had been set on fire.
"Firefighters were at the farm immediately and were quick to put the blaze out and help to move nearby animals," read the post. "We are grateful for the help from our wonderful neighbours and quick responding volunteers."
No humans or animals were injured as a result of the fire.
Charlotte's Freedom Farm is home to dozens of different animals including goats, pigs and ducks that are rescued from the farm industry. Many of the animals also come to the sanctuary with health problems or as orphans before being rehabilitated and allowed to live freely.
In early July 2020, the organization suffered a devastating loss of 22 animals after a massive fire broke out in the farm's barn. In addition to the loss of life in the 2020 blaze, the barn was destroyed and several pieces of vital equipment were lost. Damage estimates came it at around $400,000.
Over the course of the next few months, crews with the farm worked to rebuild the barn.
Operators of Charlotte's Freedom Farm called Sunday's fire a traumatic experience.
"As most of you know, Charlotte’s Freedom Farm suffered a major tragedy on July 1, 2020, when the barn burned down," read the Facebook post. "While over 80 of our residents were saved 22 beautiful souls were lost that night. The trauma and grief from that night stay with us almost a year later."
Screenshot from Charlotte's Freedom Farm Facebook
The Facebook post alleges that a threatening letter was found in the organization's mailbox in October 2020, which contained hate speech and reportedly said “you can rebuild but I will set another fire."
According to the farm's operators, another letter was found shortly after Sunday's fire which allegedly read “you were warned."
The post added that the property was outfitted with cameras in 2020 and arrangements have recently been made for security.
On Monday afternoon, Chatham-Kent police confirmed that Sunday's fire is being considered suspicious and that The Ontario Fire Marshall’s Office has been called in to assist with the investigation.
Damage is estimated around $15,000.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Constable Paul Brophy at paulb@chatham-kent.ca or 519-436-6600 extension 619. Anonymous callers may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
Because it is an active investigation, Charlotte’s Freedom Farm declined to comment at this time.
In a Facebook post on Monday morning, the organization thanked the public for the outpouring of support it's received over the past day.