ABOUT 30 doves were killed in an arson attack on an allotment that destroyed six sheds including the birds’ loft.
Devastated allotment holder Paul Hilton needed treatment for smoke inhalation after he collapsed while trying to pull the birds from their burning loft early on Tuesday.
Despite Paul’s efforts, 24 full-grown white doves were killed, plus six chicks.
He managed to pull four adult birds to safety and threw two chicks away from the flames before he succumbed to the smoke.
“The birds flew off, they were fine, but the chicks just disappeared,” said Paul, 55, who lives on Meadow Street overlooking the allotments.
“I just threw them clear, I didn’t know where they ended up.
“My neighbour had knocked me up, just after midnight, saying it was on fire and the fire brigade were on their way. My first thought was my birds.
“I ran down, there were about three sheds well ablaze by this time, and the corner of my loft was fully alight.
“It was locked up, I managed to rip the door off, but it was thick with smoke, and dark, I couldn’t see a thing.
“I was just feeling around for them. I got what I could, but I couldn’t breathe. I ended up collapsing.”
The fire brigade came and game him oxygen, and paramedics took over once they arrived shortly afterwards. He didn’t go to hospital.
Three of the four doves Paul saved were sitting on the roof of Paul’s house for much of Tuesday morning, but the fourth was unaccounted for, and he didn’t know what had happened to the two chicks he saved.
But as the Chronicle was taking photographs of Paul and the damage, one of the chicks was found hiding amid the debris by another allotment holder. “I’ll have to call this one Lucky now, won’t I?” said Paul.
A few minutes later, the other turned up too, and was Christened ‘Flame’.
Paul breeds the doves and had only moved them from his back garden to the allotment a few weeks ago. He runs a business called Yorkshire Ceremonial Doves and releases them at weddings funerals and remembrance events. The arson attack has left his business in ruins.
“You can understand if nature strikes, but this is just wanton vandalism, mindless destruction. It’s absolutely disgusting,” he said.
In all six allotment buildings belonging to various holders were destroyed in the blaze - most of them new this year after extensive work to improve the site by Paul and other volunteers.
Gavin Wroe, 39, has recently taken over one of the destroyed plots after the death of his father Fred from cancer two years ago.
“I’m totally devastated,” said Gavin, of Silkstone View, Hoyland.
“He came here every day, It was his pride and joy, but it was a social thing for him too.”
Fred had regularly spent time with George Addy, 77, who also visits every day and has done for more than 30 years. A communal shed used by George and several other older allotment holders was also destroyed.
“We used to get together, have a pot of tea, play cards, it’s all gone,” said George.
CCTV evidence has been gathered from a nearby business and passed on to police.
A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said anyone with information should call the force on 101 quoting incident number 21 of Tuesday.
