A devastating fire completely destroyed a farm building at a dairy farm on 1st Avenue Sartigan in Saint-Georges-de-Beauce this afternoon, resulting in the deaths of 70 animals.
The alarm went off at around 2:25 p.m. and the fire in the barn was already widespread when the fire brigade arrived. A thick column of smoke could be seen for several kilometers.
MARCEL TREMBLAY / QMI AGENCY
“There was nothing to do. At first they tried to take the animals out, but they are farm animals, they keep going in. After that it was too dangerous to take them,” explains fire chief Sylvain Veilleux.
About 20 firefighters were called to the scene. Their job was mainly to ensure that the flames did not spread to other buildings.
Apart from the beasts, which don’t stand a chance given the intensity of the fire, no one was injured. The building is a total loss.
MARCEL TREMBLAY / QMI AGENCY
“It’s a farm that was well equipped with robotics for milking cows. What is certain is that the losses are estimated at several hundred thousand dollars,” estimates Chief Veilleux without knowing the exact amount.
The fire was under control by 6 p.m. The operations were far from over, however, as firefighters stayed on site for several hours to clean up.
The causes and circumstances of the fire are unknown for the time being. An investigation has been opened.