A campus at Kendal college has been closed after a fire broke out at its in-house animal rescue centre last night (October 1).

Cumbria Fire and Rescue confirmed that four fire engines attended the blaze at the Milnthorpe campus around 5.30pm.

Crews are still investigating the cause of the fire. 

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A spokesperson for Cumbria Fire and Rescue said: "At 17:32 hours on 1st October 2024, four fire engines from Kendal, Milnthorpe and Windermere and the command unit from Walney attended an incident on Milnthorpe Road, Kendal.

"The incident was a fire involving a commercial building.

"Firefighters used one hose reel jet, two breathing apparatus and thermal imaging camera to bring the fire under control and were in attendance for approximately two hours."

It is unclear yet whether any animals had to be evacuated, however Kendal College Animal Rescue Centre confirmed on its Facebook page yesterday evening that no animals had been harmed as a result of the fire. 

The centre posted a reel of a member of a staff holding up a hedgehog this morning whilst fire alarms can be heard in the background.

The post confirmed that the centre has lost a substantial amount of equipment however which will hinder day- to-day practises. 

Staff member holds hedgehog during fire alarms in reel (Image: Kendal college) A further post created this morning on the Kendal College Animal Rescue Centre Facebook page appealed to the public for the following items: 

  • small dish cloths

  • old tea towels

  • old bath towels 

  • 5l buckets 

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Kendal College was home to the UK’s first Animal Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre alongside its teaching department.

Facilities include an intensive care and treatment room with industry-standard surgical equipment and digital X-ray facilities to provide the highest level of animal care and the best possible practical learning environment for students.

Kendal College Milnthorpe campus (Image: Google) Courses are headed up by experienced veterinary staff who could one day be out rescuing baby seals to another day getting hands-on with common wildlife casualties like injured birds or hedgehogs.​

The dedicated Kendal College Sixth Form Facebook page posted that the campus will be open to all students and staff tomorrow, Thursday October 3.