Fire Hits Second Generation Dairy Farm
By: Ali Touhey
Updated: January 29, 2013
"Being our business, it's really hard, ya know," said Sadler Brother's Dairy Farm owner, Robin Sadler.
Sadler awoke around midnight, Monday morning to the sight of flames outside her bedroom window.
"The barn was engulfed. We tried to get to the cows but we couldn't get there in time. "
All 31 heifers perished in the fire. The young cows would've been used for milk in the spring.
The debris still smoldered on Monday.
The barn was two stories tall and often times the cows would herd together in the basement. That's also where fire investigators believe the fire started, directly in the middle on the structure.
"Once it gets going, the whole thing gets going," expressed Farmington Fire Chief Philip Robinson.
Robinson says crews from seven fire departments battled the blaze.
He says barn equipment coupled with dozens of bails of hay fueled the fire. Their main goal was to contain it to the barn.
"Saving lives is our number one priority," said Chief Robinson. "Life safety obviously and making sure that house doesn't catch because it was going pretty good and the wind was going like that."
The Sadler family has seen some trying times in recent years.
"Last year, my husband was trampled by a bull. He survived that. Eight years ago, we had a house fire and everybody was ok then, too. So, we're blessed in a meaning way I guess."
Their barn was also insured which will help pay for the damages.
"Take one day at a time. But thank god we're ok. We can go on."
The Sadler's plan to rebuild.
Right now, they're just thankful no one was injured.
"It's come close. Too close. But missing the cows, that's the hardest part." The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
