ANIMALS at a tourist attraction had a lucky escape after fire ripped through several buildings, destroying Santa’s grotto.

Around 30 firefighters fought the blaze at the Farmer Palmer’s farm park in Organford, near Wareham, after a 999 call at 12.25am on Sunday.

Farm owners, who opened as normal the next morning, are now counting the cost of the blaze, which is under investigation by Dorset Fire and Rescue Service.

Arson is deemed highly unlikely but has not been ruled out – nor has a stray firework.

Luckily, farm bosses had moved the attraction’s cows out of one of the destroyed buildings just three days before, into a different area of the park.

Sandra Palmer of Farmer Palmer’s usually keeps horses in the affected area, but because she had attended a school fireworks event on Saturday night and it was too dark to move them when she returned, they remained overnight in a nearby field.

She said: “In many respects we were really lucky. If the wind had been blowing in the other way then it could have been a different story.”

The team are now determined to rebuild Santa’s grotto for the festive season.

“The grotto will happen,” pledged Sandra. “We've only got 20 days to do it, but it is amazing how resourceful you can get in situations like this.”

The only casualty of the early- hours drama was a barn owl called Alan.

He was discovered in his smoke-damaged enclosure wet, shocked and cold hours after the blaze had been extinguished.

After he was rushed to a bird vet to recover, Sandra said: “Hopefully, he will be alright. We are all rooting for him.

“I would like to make it clear we are open as normal and none of the park attractions have been affected. I would also like to thank the amazing fire crews who worked all night to get this under control and give us the best advice possible.”

A large set of farm buildings, straw and timber and some farm machinery was destroyed.

While firefighters fought the blaze they shut the road outside the attraction and urged neighbours to stay inside.

The owners had not held any Bonfire Night or fireworks activities for fear of distressing the animals.