York: Piglets Adventure Farm 'devastated' as animals die in fire

Lambs were among the animals that died due to the fire (file picture)

Ten lambs and two goats have died after a fire at a family farm attraction near York.

The animals all died of smoke inhalation during the small fire at Piglets Adventure Farm in Strensall in the early hours of Sunday morning.

In a statement, farm staff said the blaze was ignited by a heat lamp used to keep the lambs warm at night.

They said they had been left "completely devastated and in shock by this terrible loss".

"We have a very close bond with our animals, so it has been such a difficult and traumatic time for our team," the statement added.

"We are so grateful to our animal barn manager Heidi, and our director Ed, who managed to save the lives of all of our other animals in the barn, by safely stopping the spread of the fire.

"We simply cannot thank them enough. If it were not for their quick thinking and calm reaction, the situation could have been so much worse."

The farm added that it had been the animals nearest the fire that had died from smoke inhalation.

It closed to visitors on Monday and Tuesday, but plans to reopen on Wednesday.