Fire crews say cause of Essa Township barn fire is undeterminable
The cause of an explosive barn fire that broke out in Essa Township on Sunday will likely never be determined.
That's according to Essa Fire Chief Doug Burgin, who described Sunday's fire as one of the biggest ever seen in the township.
"Based on the extent and level of damage, we're never going to be able to determine the cause of this fire," Chief Burgin said. "We believe it started in the old barn area in the centre of the structure, but the entire operation is a total loss."
Thick black smoke could be seen and smelled across the county for kilometres as crews rushed to the scene at County Road 27, south of 20th Sideroad, at 3:45 p.m.
Sixty firefighters from six local fire departments, including New Tecumseth, Innisfil, Barrie, and Springwater, were dispatched to help Essa firefighters put out the flames.
Chief Burgin said the barn fire was contained but had spread to other farm areas.
"The stuff inside the silos is still burning," Burgin said Monday morning, adding he believes the silos will have to be knocked down to control the fires.
"The fire jumped from the main fire to a straw shed as well. There were concerns with the wind and the flames that the house would be in danger, but we got on top of that," he said.
Burgin said the farm is primarily a dairy operation. 52 cows perished in the fire, but the family saved about 140 more. Damage is estimated to be around $6 million.
According to Barrie Deputy Fire Chief Carrie Clark, the fire was under control by 8 p.m. and they were in "salvage and overhaul mode."
Due to the collapsed barns, Clark said they needed larger equipment to remove the remains of the steel structures to put out hot spots.
Burgin said there are no reported injuries and the Ontario Fire Marshal will not be investigating the cause.
Simcoe County paramedics were on scene Sunday doing regular wellness checks on individual firefighters as temperatures in the Barrie area remained in the mid-30s.
New Tecumseth Fire Chief Dan Heydon says County Road 27 opened between midnight and 1 a.m. Monday morning.
With files from CTV NEWS BARRIE and CP24's Bryann Aguilar
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.