According to a report from WCAX3, 40 cows died and another 140 were rescued in a barn fire in Grand Isle, Vermont, at the Bullis Brothers Farm on Griswold Road was called in just before 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
A neighbor, Andrew Paradee, made the initial 911 call after spotting flames coming from the dairy barn. Prior to the arrival of Grand Isle Volunteer Fire Department (GIVFD), he rushed to the barn to help the trapped cows flee.
On arrival, GIVFD crews found the barn fully engulfed in flames. Although firefighters and other residents were able to open the barn doors to allow many cows out, 40 perished in the fire.
GIVFD Assistant Chief Joe Clark said the department did all they could to get the cows to safety.
No people were injured. Fire investigators believe the fire erupted when a worker used a propane torch to thaw frozen manure earlier in the day, which most likely started a smoldering fire that later spread to nearby materials.
The fire caused an estimated $300,000 of damage.
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