'It breaks my heart:' Massive fire destroys well-known PA dairy farm

Beaver County, PA — A massive fire ripped through two barns at a well-known dairy farm in Beaver County Thursday night.

The Brunton family has been on this land since the 1800s and has been operating a dairy farm for generations.

“I called my daughter, and she said I can't talk now. The barn: the barn is on fire,” said family member Nancy Wolfe.

It was a devastating fire, and aerial video shows just how severe and widespread this blaze was.

According to family members, the bottling plant and the milking barn are gone.

“We are blessed that we did not have loss of life.”

At least one trailer was also destroyed.

“I'm a really close friend of the Brunton’s and it breaks my heart,” said family friend Ben DeLouis.

Neighbor Ben DeLouis saw the smoke from his home and came running to help.

“I'm not even a farmer but I know how to take care of a cow if it needs help, and I was helping him and all the Brunton’s.”

Most of the cows survived, but not all. A family member says around a hundred cows were being milked when the fire started.

“All the cows that survived are being cut loose. We helped corral them into another pasture to keep them safe. Some of them were trying to run back in the fire.”

With nowhere to go, neighbors with trailers jumped into action, shuttling the surviving cows to nearby farms.

“This community, they've always been there. Through bad times and good times.”

The family is thankful that they're okay and for the community that came to help.

“The community has rallied around them. I've seen a lot of friends and neighbors.”

“Continue to have the family in your prayers please.”

A firefighter was treated for dehydration while battling the flames, but no other injuries were reported.

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to support Brunton Dairy.

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