(TOWNSHIP OF PERTH EAST, ON) On Saturday October 30, 2010 shortly after 3:30 p.m. the Township of Perth East Fire Department and Perth County OPP officers were dispatched to a dairy farm on Line 61 south west of Milverton, when the owner observed smoke coming out from under the eaves of his older barn.
The family had started milking their dairy heard in the newer front open air milking barn which is attached to and located in front of the older barn. Upon realizing the barn had caught fire, the family was able to move the milking cows out of the new barn and milking parlour into a field on the west side of the barns. Later some of the cattle were moved off site by family and neighbours. The family was unable to save 8-10 dairy calves which had been in the rear barn.
The fire department fought the fire but were unable to save the rear older barn which had hay stored inside of it. Heavy equipment was brought in to knock down the older barn allowing the fire to be suppressed more effectively.
Traffic was diverted around and scene and the roads department placed road closed signs on Line 61 to the east and west side of the fire scene.
The Ontario Fire Marshall’s office was notified of the fire due to the high dollar value of the loss.