MANOTICK – More than 80 dairy cows have been killed in a devastating barn fire at Acredale Farms on Thurs., May 20.
Ottawa Fire Services, (OFS) arrived at the scene quickly, but the fire by then had completely engulfed the barn.
Firefighters arrived within a few minutes of receiving the 911 call around 7:20 in the evening.
The smoke from the fire could be seen from several kilometers away.
Neighbours rushed to help get as many cows and calves out of the barn and adjacent areas as possible, but 120 cows died, 8 calves were saved, and 55 heifers survived that were in a heifer barn separate from the main barn.
The fire caused an estimated $2 million in damage to the dairy barn located on First Line Road near Century Road south of the village of Manotick.
The OFS fire investigators have not determined the cause of the blaze and are investigating.
The farming community has set up a GoFundMe page to help the farm owners and managers Janet Acres Smiley, daughter Jasmine, husband Bob and son Travis. It is called Acredale Farms Relief Fund.
Acredale Farms was originally purchased by Janet’s father’s grandfather in 1920. Her grandfather Gordon Acres, started farming there in the 1930s.
Janet graduated from Kemptville College in 1987 where she did the dairy program. After college she returned to the farm and has been working and managing it ever since.
The GoFundMe page organized by Kars resident Sarah Flicko has already surpassed its goal of $30,000. By Sun., May 23 their campaign had raised $42,559.
You can use this link to donate to the relief fund: https://gofund.me/03a310bd
