An animal rescue project in Renfrewshire, Scotland, has been the victim of a deliberate fire, which is currently being investigated by the police. The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday morning at Lamont Farm in Erskine. The farm is home to a variety of animals, including horses, ducks, sheep, goats, pigs, and llamas. Fortunately, the noise made by the distressed animals alerted staff to the fire, which was located in a cabin on the property. Fire crews were quickly on the scene and managed to extinguish the blaze before any animals were hurt. However, the farm has been forced to close until further notice.
A statement released by Lamont Farm on social media expressed their devastation at the fire. The statement also provided some details on the aftermath of the incident. "Luckily any cats that were in the cabin managed to escape, and we managed to turn all the horses up to the field to safety, so no animals or humans were harmed - we are so grateful for that. We don't know what damage has been caused other than the massive amount of smoke and water damage. We know, however, that the cost is going to be high - especially for a small charity like us."
Lamont City Farm, which later became Lamont Farm Project, was founded in 1977 and was the first urban farming scheme of its kind in Scotland. The project has been providing a home for a variety of animals and has been offering educational visits to local schools and the wider community for over four decades. It is unclear why the farm was targeted in the attack, but it is clear that the cost of repairing the damage will be high.
Police Scotland has issued an appeal for anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area around the time of the fire to come forward. They have not yet released any further information about the investigation.
This shocking incident has highlighted the importance of animal rescue projects like Lamont Farm. These organizations provide a crucial service to the local community, not only by providing a home for animals that might otherwise be neglected or abandoned but also by offering educational programs that promote animal welfare and responsible pet ownership. The fact that someone would deliberately set fire to a place like Lamont Farm is deeply concerning and serves as a reminder of the need for continued support for these vital organizations.
In the wake of this devastating event, the staff and volunteers at Lamont Farm will no doubt be working hard to get the project back up and running as soon as possible. But they will need the support of the local community and animal lovers everywhere if they are to do so. Donations to the project will no doubt be welcome, as will offers of help from anyone with relevant skills or experience. If you would like to support Lamont Farm Project, you can find out more on their website or social media channels. Together, we can help to ensure that this vital project continues to thrive, despite this setback.