Barn fire near Arthur kills cattle, collapses building
Fire officials say cattle have died following a barn fire near Arthur on Saturday afternoon.
In an email to CTV News, Wellington North Fire Services Deputy Chief Callise Loos said the barn housed about 300 beef cattle, and some cattle died, but it's too early to tell how many at this point.
Several stations responded to the fire around 4 p.m. on Line 12 between Sideroad 3 and Wellington Road 14 near Arthur.
No human injuries were reported to occupants or emergency personnel, Loos added.
Chris Harrow, director of fire services for Wellington North and Minto, said the barn could hold over 400 cattle.
According to Harrow, the loss could be significant, but the number of cattle that died is unknown at this time.
“We’re not sure how many got out, but we’re expecting it to be over 100 at least that perished in this fire,” Harrow said.
Harrow added that neighbours helped to get cattle out and to safety.
“We were called to smoke and possible flames coming from a barn, upon our arrival with our first crew out of the Mount Forest station we found the heavy smoke coming form the barn, and shortly thereafter the flames coming through the roof,” Harrow said
Officials believe the flames started in the hay loft. Within 10 minutes of their arrival, Harrow said the building collapsed in one corner, and shortly after that the entire building collapsed.
"Upon our arrival with our first crew at our Mount Forest station, we found the heavy smoke coming from the barn and shortly thereafter flames through the roof," he said. “We’re not sure at this time on the numbers that were lost.,”
Harrow estimates the cost in damages is set to be in the millions but could not provide a specific amount.
"So, we're going to be deeming it an accidental cause," he explained. "Thankful no injuries to residents or firefighters...so we're very fortunate that way."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From AI running wild to collapsing ecosystems, government report outlines future disruptions
From artificial intelligence running wild to collapsing ecosystems, a new Canadian government report outlines 35 disruptions that could rattle the country in the near future.
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton hospitalized after prison attack
British Columbia serial killer Robert Pickton was attacked and sustained life-threatening injuries in a Quebec prison Sunday in what officials described as a 'major assault.'
opinion Tom Mulcair: With Trudeau spiralling, Mark Carney waits in the wings
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader Tom Mulcair argues that if there's an unofficial frontrunner in the eventual race to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader, it has to be former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.
Toronto Blue Jays fan struck by 110 m.p.h foul ball offered tickets, signed baseball by team
The Toronto Blue Jays have offered tickets and a signed baseball to a fan who says she was struck in the face by a 110 m.p.h (177 km/h) foul ball at Friday’s game.
Matthew Perry's death is being investigated over ketamine level found in actor's blood, reports say
An investigation has been opened into the death of Matthew Perry and how the “Friends” actor received the anesthetic ketamine, which was ruled a contributing factor in his death.
OPP continues to investigate boat collision north of Kingston, Ont. that left 3 people dead
Ontario Provincial Police continue to investigate a long weekend fatal boat collision on Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont.
Police in Ontario say suspects charged in armed home invasion near Toronto part of 'larger criminal network'
Police in Ontario say a group of suspects charged in an armed home invasion north of Toronto last year were driving a vehicle stolen in a carjacking in Calgary just one month earlier.
Stolen septic truck swerves through traffic, spike belt needed to stop it: Manitoba RCMP
A 29-year-old woman has been charged after police say she stole a septic truck from a Manitoba community and drove erratically on the highway.
Orphan orca's extended family spotted off northeast side of Vancouver Island
Members of a killer whale pod related to an orphan orca calf that escaped a remote British Columbia tidal lagoon last month have been spotted off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island.