A fast-moving fire destroyed a barn and 47 cows at a historic Hudson Valley farm that has been in the area since 1770.
Firefighters were called to the scene at about 7:30 p.m. at 3195 Route 82. When firefighters arrived, they found the 200-year-old farm in flames, according to a GoFundMe page that also said the family lost the majority of their milk cows as the fire burned down their barn and the cows were trapped inside.
Photographer Michael Molinski was driving north on Route 82 on his way back from a photography shoot when he spotted the blaze as he crested the hill before the farm.
Molinski pulled over, grabbed his phone and dialed 911. He got out of his car and tried to help anyone who might be inside and he heard the sound of dozens of cows bellowing inside, he said.
“It was hard to take it all in,” Molinski said. “It was a horrible scene. You can tell there was so much pain happening inside the barn.”
Dozens of nearby farmers in the community offered their support on social media for the Miller family, who own the farm.
“Our hearts are breaking tonight for our friends and neighbors at Millerhurst Farm,” according to a statement from Ronnybrook Farm Dairy on Facebook. “This national bicentennial farm has been in their family since 1770. The farming community shares their grief on the loss of cows and their beautiful barn due to a fast-moving fire.”
A host of families, fellows farmers, and businesses in the community offered their support on social media for the Miller family, who own the farm, including the Columbia Land Conservancy who called for donations: “We’re really heartbroken to hear about this tragedy at Millerhurst Farm – please consider doing what you can to support them,” they said.
Other’s also took to Facebook the owners of Ronnybrook Farm.
“Our hearts are breaking tonight for our friends and neighbors at Millerhurst Farm,” according to a statement from Ronnybrook Farm Dairy on Facebook. “This national bicentennial farm has been in their family since 1770. The farming community shares their grief on the loss of cows and their beautiful barn due to a fast-moving fire.”
According to an article in the New York Times from 1987, the 350-acre farm, has been run by the Miller family since 1770 and is believed to be one of the oldest in the state.
The family said they have been able to hold on, despite the decline in agribusiness due to it being run by the family.
To date, the GoFundMe page has raised almost $28,000 of a $20,000 goal.
