Shortly after midnight on Tuesday, Brooklyn Firefighters were dispatched to a report of an unknown fire in the community of St Croix.
Additional 911 calls were received reporting that a barn was on fire along Highway 1 in St Croix.
This prompted automatic mutual aid being dispatched from Windsor, Hantsport & Summerville Fire Departments to the scene.
There was a heavy glow visible from a distance away while firefighters were responding.
Brooklyn Deputy Chief, Bill Hazel, was the first officer to arrive.
“The first barn was fully engulfed when I arrived and the second barn was starting to smoke and about 10 minutes after, the second barn started to burn and flashed.” Stated Deputy Chief Hazel.
Firefighters contended with extreme fire conditions, with lots of hay and old wooded buildings.
Additional manpower and tankers were called in to assist, while crews also set up a fill site for water supply at the dam.
Approximately 60 firefighters helped to extinguish the fire.
Fire departments from Windsor, Hantsport, Summerville, Uniacke, South West Hants, Wolfville, Greenwich, New Minas, Gore & Rawdon were all called to the scene.
Unfortunately, 20 goats and one cow were unable to escape the fire. Hazel was able to confirm 4 goats and 6 cattle managed to safely get out.
The barns on the property held some significant history, with the first barn dating back to its build in the 1700’s and the second being the early 1800’s.
The farm is owned by a family who has farmed that particular land for 6 generations.
“We protected the other buildings on site that were in close quarters to the other barns and they had minimal damage.” Stated DC Hazel.
Nova Scotia Power, Department of Public Works & West Hants District RCMP also attended.
EHS Paramedics were also on scene. Hazel was able to confirm there were no reported injuries.
Fire Departments from Walton Shore, Port Williams, Greenwich & Uniacke assisted with coverage at neighbouring departments during the incident.
The Nova Scotia Fire Marshals Office was contacted, but due to the barns being a total loss and an excavator being called in to help with firefighting efforts, they did not attend the scene.
Brooklyn Deputy Chief, Hazel, was able to confirm the fire is being classified as undetermined.
All firefighters and agencies cleared the scene shortly before 6AM.
Adrian J.
