JUST a day after it was devastated by fire, Roves Farm has already set its sights on re-opening in a month’s time.

The family attraction, near Highworth, is currently closed to the public but the Burr Family, who own the farm, are hoping to partly re-open in a few weeks and fully open as soon as possible.

The fire is thought to have started because of an electrical fault in the incoming mains but that is yet to be confirmed by investigators.

Communications officer Pippa Burr, the daughter of owner, Rupert, said: “It was a big shock to everybody but we have got to move on and carry on.

“The main thing is nobody was hurt and no animals were injured.”

Pippa was in one of the farm’s top barns when Rupert, who was working near the visitor’s centre, noticed a funny smell.

“We believe it was caused by an electrical fault. When we got there there was a bit of smouldering which we extinguished with our extinguisher,” she said.

“There was no flame when the fire brigade arrived but unfortunately it had caught on to the boards the electrics were attached on to.

“Because it was an electric fire the fire brigade couldn’t put it out until the electricity was turned off.

“Within 20 minutes the barns had gone up. The fire brigade were here literally within minutes.

“Unfortunately, there was nothing they could do because they needed the electricity supplier to turn the elctricity off.”

The animal barn and the bail stack were unaffected but trolleys were used to evacuate pigs, sheep, guinea pigs, rabbits and chickens from the animal barn as a precaution because smoke had got in the building.

The animals were all back in the barn yesterday.

Nearly 40 firefighters attended the scene on Wednesday, which saw damage to the ticketing area, seating area and reception at the visitors’ centre.

The family is waiting for insurance reports to determine the cost of the damage.

“It was one of those unfortunate things that happened,” Pippa said.

“We hope to re-open in a month with modest facilities for tractor rides and themed events.”

“We will be back again, bigger and better. Our biggest aim is to be open again as soon as possible.

“It is our 20th anniversary at the end of the month so we were all looking forward to having a great year and a big celebration but it has been put on hold.”

A spokesman for the farm’s electricity supplier, SSE, said: “There is going to be a full investigation.

“It is a very unfortunate event.

“We were called out to the property to disconnect the electricity supply to make the property safe. It is standard procedure.”

As the farm’s diaries were lost in the blaze, anyone with bookings at the centre should email info@rovesfarm.co.uk with their name, contact details and details of their booking.