Over 200 cows dead after a barn fire in Wellington North
CBC
Over 200 beef cattle have died in a barn fire in Ontario's Wellington North township.
The Wellington North Fire Service responded to a report of a barn fire around 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at a rural residence on Line 12 between Side Road 3 and Wellington Road 14.
Callise Loos, the deputy fire chief, said the owners of the beef farm got out with no physical injuries.
"The building was a total collapse," she said, adding the damage to the barn is estimated at between $2 million and $3 million.
"Upon arrival, there was heavy smoke and flames visible out of the second floor of the building," Loos said.
"The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental in nature starting in hay that had been piled in the barn."
Several fire trucks were at the scene Saturday, with approximately 60 firefighters from eight fire stations, including Arthur, Mt. Forest, Clifford, Harriston, Palmerston, Shelburne, Dundalk and Grand Valley.
Loos said it took fire crews about 12 hours to put out the massive fire.
The barn housed about 300 beef cattle.