September 26, 2016 10.52 am This story is over 89 months old

Community pulls together to help Mablethorpe seal sanctuary ravaged by fire

The local community has pulled together to raise funds after a devastating fire destroyed part of Mablethorpe’s seal sanctuary on Saturday, September 24. A fire, which broke out in the education room, has been confirmed by Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue as an electrical fault with the water heater in a fish tank. Fish, geckos and…

The local community has pulled together to raise funds after a devastating fire destroyed part of Mablethorpe’s seal sanctuary on Saturday, September 24.

A fire, which broke out in the education room, has been confirmed by Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue as an electrical fault with the water heater in a fish tank.

Fish, geckos and a snake all perished in the fire and there was also significant damage to several walls.

Owners of the seal sanctuary posted the photos of the damage caused on Facebook saying: “The devastating scene left after our terrible ordeal today.”

In response, one regular visitor to the sanctuary, Adam Leonard, has set up a GoFundMe page with an aim of raising £10,000 to help the venue.

So far the page has already raised £1,265.

Adam said: “The main reason I set up this campaign is because I have so many great memories of the Seal Sanctuary from going as a child, I now have the privilege of returning again every year with my own children.

“It’s also been great watching the centre grow every year with new animals and bigger enclosures.

“I know it’s a difficult time for them at the moment with the new zoo regulations where the enclosures need to be made much bigger but sadly they are limited with the space they have.

I would hate to see the centre have to close because of the struggles they are currently facing.

“My aim is to raise as much money as possible to help them rebuild the education classroom after the fire and any money left over will help towards enlarging enclosures and day to day running costs of the centre.”

Owners have replied to people donating saying: “Your donation is very much appreciated and will go a massive way to getting us up and running again.”