Barn fire at Leducdale Farms claims more than 100 cattle

Oct 26, 2016

Fire officials estimate damages are into the millions of dollars

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

A barn fire at a farm near Maxville, Ontario killed more than 100 dairy cows.

The fire broke out at Leducdale Farms around 5 p.m. Monday evening. By the time five fire crews arrived on scene, the building was completely destroyed.

The fire started at one end of the barn and spread throughout. Weather conditions made it easier for the fire to spread quickly.

“It was fanned by high winds and there is ventilation in the barn that didn’t help,” Bernard Lalonde, district fire chief ofAlexandria fire, told CTV News.

Farm owner Raymond Leduc said, before the fire, his herd consisted of about 600 cows. He tried to reach them but the blaze was too strong.

“I just opened the door a bit hoping I could go get the cattle out this way – I nearly fell over, it was black smoke – it was awful,” he told CTV News.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing. Reports indicate between 100 and 150 cows were lost in the fire. There’s also fear that feed stored in Leduc’s five silos is also contaminated and that the silos will need to be destroyed.

Leduc said he will rebuild, and damage is estimated to be more than $1 million.

No people were injured in the fire.

Video: FLEECED! Sheep Shearer Hands Over Clippers!

It's sheep shearing day at Ewetopia Farms! ?? Our Dorset lambs and ewes are getting fleeced — and for the first time, our shearer hands over his clippers to a beginner. We finish shearing the last of our adult ewes and this year’s Dorset ewe lambs.

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