Major fire at bird sanctuary destroys quarter of the building, about 80 birds dead

HOPE VALLEY, R.I (WLNE) – Multiple fire departments were on scene for a large fire at the Foster Parrots Bird Sanctuary facility that broke out early Thursday morning.

The facility, for unwanted or abused parrots, is located on Woodville Alton Road and is the former Chickadee Farms location across from Woodville Golf Course.

According to the Ashaway fire department, the fire broke out at 5:30 AM.

“When we first got here, we were short on manpower,” Todd Allen, Assistant Ashaway Fire Chief said. “We went to a 4th alarm to bring in manpower and equipment.”

A total of 15 departments came to help, and without hydrants in the town, water had to be brought in and put into portable ponds.

“Our initial attack was to trench cut and then knock the fire down from there,” Assistant Chief Allen said. “The building was approximately 40×1000 and we lost about a quarter of the building, a 100 foot section.”

The Ashaway Fire Chief says a quarter of the building burnt to the ground, and in that section, they believe around 80 birds died.

Staff at Foster Parrots was running around trying to help the hundreds of other birds housed throughout the building.

“The interior and exterior of the building is in tact,” James Given, an investigator for the State Fire Marshal said. “They will be able to continue to house the birds here and rehabilitate them.”

The State Fire Marshal says they’ll be looking into all the options as to how the fire started. Residents in the area say the community is devastated.

“It’s pretty tough,” Steph Johnston said. “They care for these birds and its their only home. It’s something a lot of people don’t even know about, they’ve never even seen inside the building. It was a forever home.”

Anyone who is looking to help the Rhode Island Parrot Rescue recover from the effects of the fire can donate supplies at the rescue at 2141 West Shore Rd. in Warwick.

The RIPR posted to its Facebook page that the following supplies are needed:

– Bottled water
– Sponges
– Dish soap
– Large bowls/Tupperware for fresh fruits and vegetables
– Large cages
– Refrigerator
– Fresh produce
– Pelleted food
– Towels/linen
– Trash bags
– Paper towels
– Disposable gloves

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