Dozens of cows perish in Sunday morning barn fire near Drayton

MAPLETON – About 40 cows died in a Sunday morning fire that destroyed a barn northeast of Drayton.

Firefighters were called to the blaze, near the intersection of 14th Line and Sideroad 17 in Mapleton Township, just before 9am on Dec. 29.

"On arrival the barn was fully involved," stated deputy fire chief Callise Loos in a press release.

"The barn housed approximately 110 cows; 40 cows perished in the fire and 70 cows were rescued from the building."

Loos noted about 60 firefighters from Mapleton, Minto and Wellington North responded to the call.

"There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters," Loos stated.

"The fire originated in the second storey of the barn and the cause of the fire is undetermined at this time."

She added damage is estimated at over $1 million.