Middlesex County OPP say about 20 sheep and two donkeys are believed to have died in a structure fire northwest of Ilderton.

The fire broke out shortly before 3:30 p.m. in a livestock barn at a rural residential property in the 26000 block of Bear Creek Rd.

Police are asking drivers to avoid the area between Petty St. and Argyle St. to assist emergency responders, though the road remains open.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.