‘My babies were all in there’: Victim of B.C. barn arson mourning dozens of animals

We’re learning more about a devastating fire that tore through a Langley farm earlier this month.

Ever since her father died, Kelly Eaglestone has been in charge of the family’s farm.

“I lost my entire family to different illnesses,” said Eaglestone, fighting back tears. “And I inherited the farm.”

As an animal lover, caring for the dozens of horses, cows, pigs, sheep, rabbits, chickens and guinea fowl on the property – located in Langley Township, in B.C.’s Lower Mainland – was a dream job.

It was also one the single mother hoped to pass onto her own children one day.

That came crashing down last week, during a terrible crime that left Eaglestone both devastated and heartbroken.

She told CTV News she was running for help after being assaulted by a former farmhand at the property when her barn was set ablaze.

“My neighbour pulled over on the side of the road and I was telling them what was going on,” Eaglestone said. “Then I just turned around and all I saw was black smoke.”

She returned to see the barn engulfed in flames, with most of her livestock inside.

“I was screaming, hysterical because my babies were all in there, like my animals,” she said.

Firefighters tried to save as many livestock as they could, but Eaglestone said she lost most of them – more than 100 living creatures in total. Only a few dozen survived, mostly sheep and chickens.

The family’s two housecats, Lily and Oliver, are also missing, though Eaglestone and her children are holding out hope they might have survived.

“I’m hoping they just, you know, ran away, but it’s been a week and I still can’t find them,” she said.

Eaglestone told CTV News property was insured, but it’s unclear how much help she will ultimately receive.

In the meantime, Eagelstone is being forced to sell off her remaining livestock, as she has no place to keep them.

“I have to abandon my animals,” she said, getting overcome with emotion again. “All I had left.”

Longtime family friend Adam Boyd has also set up a GoFundMe to support Eaglestone and her children, which had raised just over $5,700 as of Sunday afternoon.

“We’re just grateful for the love and support she’s gotten so far,” he said.

Boyd, who grew up on another farm down the road, called the fire “probably the most devastating thing that’s ever happened” in the area.

Langley RCMP said Christopher Gerald William England was arrested in connection with the fire, and has since been charged with several crimes, including arson damaging property, assault with a weapon, assault, causing unnecessary pain or suffering to an animal, mischief, and obstructing police.