A fire at a Pennsylvania dairy displaced 1,600 cows

BLAIR COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) – Firefighters were dispatched to a fire at a dairy in Martinsburg early Thursday morning.

Crews were dispatched to Pleasant View Farms in North Woodbury Township at 4am after multiple calls reported seeing heavy fire.

Martinsburg Fire Chief Randy Acker said when crews arrived they found an office building attached to a milking parlor completely ablaze. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire within an hour, and neither crew members nor cows were injured.

“They had 1,600 cows here and they send them to other farms. Other farmers lend a hand and bring the cows to be milked until the insurance company decides what to do here,” says Acker.

The office building was completely destroyed by the fire, but crews were able to save most of the milking parlour. Acker explained that due to the rural location, several tankers were sent to the fire to help with the water supply.

According to the Geeseytown Community Fire Company, firefighters used 4,000 gallons of water to feed the first engine and truck company due. Six firefighters from the Six Mile Run Area Volunteer Fire Company also provided support with the water operations.

Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Company, Friendship Fire Company of Roaring Spring, Southern Cove Volunteer Fire Company, Williamsburg Volunteer Fire Company and Saxton Volunteer Fire Company also responded to the scene.

The cause of the fire is being determined by the state fire brigade.

Representative Jim Gregory released a statement on the situation:

“In true Morrisons Cove fashion, Blair County farm families are all offering their help and support to keep the Metzler herd milked. It’s an amazing thing to see these good people coming together.”