Farmington, N.Y. – Flashes of fire woke up Robin Sadler, but the fire was too intense to save any of the cows.
Smoke continued to billow out of what's left the Sadler Brother's farm barn on Fox Road in Farmington, nearly twelve hours after the fire started.
“About midnight I woke up to the flames shooting out of the barn,” said Robin Sadler whose husband, Alan Sadler, runs the farm.
Everyone tried to save the 31 yearlings in the barn, but the heat from the fire was too much.
“My main concern at that point too was saving our house,” said Sadler, “we had a house fire eight years ago so we've been through it already, all those memories came back again.”
Heat from the fire did melt some of the siding, but fire crews put water on the home and garage.
Farmington Fire Chief Philip Robinson came back to check for hot spots, late Monday morning. Smoke crossing the road was the biggest concern for Monday night.
“Smoke issue going across the road especially at night,” said Robinson, “so we're going to have to keep an eye on that.” Unfortunately, there was nothing the Farmington fire crew and the four other departments could do to save the cows or farming equipment, said Robinson.
“This type of structure goes quickly once it gets going it doesn't slow down,” said Robinson.
It took about an hour an a half to control the fire.
And as for the Sadler’s, they're grateful their family is safe, but they feel will be affected by this loss long beyond today.
“These were yearlings,” said Sadler, “so next year's probably the main thing that's going to hurt us.”
The Sadler Brother's farm has 150 dairy cows at a different barn up the street. The farm does have insurance; and as far as a cause the Ontario County Fire Coordinator is still trying make that determination.
