Quinte West Fire Chief John Whelan said a major barn fire Thursday killed 50 dairy cows and caused $1 million in losses. The cause of the fire is under investigation and the Ontario Fire Marshall has been called in to the scene. SUBMITTED Postmedia Network
Fifty dairy cows burned to death Thursday evening, trapped in a major barn fire in Quinte West that lit up the night sky until early morning hours Friday causing roughly $1 million in damages, said Fire Chief John Whelan.
The light emitted from flames licking the dark evening sky could be seen for kilometres along the horizon.
Firefighters and local residents managed to save another 30 cows of the herd by freeing them from the burning barn at 152 Suurdt Rd. located off Free Road but other cows panicked and ran back into the burning structure, the chief said.
As many as 38 firefighters fought a stubborn barn fire in Quinte West Thursday which claimed 50 cows.SUBMITTED
“The value loss was about a million dollars,” Whelan told The Intelligencer Friday with, “three large tractors lost in fire as well.”
Firefighters responded after receiving a call at 8:39 p.m.
When the fire department arrived on scene, Whelan said the barn was already in flames and experience told him the blaze would be tough to knock down likely requiring a steady effort for hours by firefighters.
Whelan said early indications suggested it would be “an all-night event.”
“The main barn had over 80 cattle trapped. Civilian’s and firefighters were able to rescue some of the cows. Others ran back into the barn. Over 50 cows perished in the fire,” Whelan said.
The intensity of the fire required more than three dozen firefighters to battle the blaze throughout the night.
Whelan said, “38 firefighters fought the fire and crews remained on scene all night. The office of the fire marshal has been called in.”
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Source: The Intelligencer
