A Buckfield man lost four peacocks Thursday in an early-morning fire that burned a small barn, authorities said.

Fire officials said a heat lamp likely was to blame for the blaze that destroyed a large shed that housed the four peacocks owned by Phillip McAllister.

The call came in to Buckfield Fire Department at 2:19 a.m., Chief Timothy Brooks said. When firefighters arrived at 196 Brock School Road, the barn was already flattened, Brooks said. He estimated the damage at roughly $2,000.

It took about 10 minutes to bring the fire under control, Brooks said.

Nearby buildings that housed more birds and firewood were not threatened by the blaze, Brooks said.

McAllister told a Sun Journal photographer at the scene that he was “heartsick” at the loss of the birds.

“I’m still in shock,” he said.