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Dozens of farm animals die in barn fire

E-mail|Link|Comments () June 22, 2009 12:02 PM

By Michele Richinick, Globe Correspondent

A wind-driven fire destroyed a Seekonk barn and claimed the lives of about five dozen farm animals, authorities said.

The fire broke out just before 5 p.m. Sunday in the single story building on Meadow Court, said Fire Chief Alan R. Jack. The owner had used the barn to store farm equipment as well as house sheep, chickens, hens, and rabbits.

The building and its contents were declared a loss. The owner was able to save some sheep, propane tanks, and gasoline cans, but the other animals could not be rescued.

"It was pretty dramatic for a short period of time," Jack said. "[Flames were] bright, bright orange at a time."

Officials believe the fire was accidental and might have started from pieces of cardboard that were stored near the fireplace inside the structure.

Firefighters battled the blaze for three and a half hours.

"Because of the nature of the items he had stored there, together with the wind, it was a little problematic for us," Jack said. "It was a pretty extensive fire.''

The barn, which was about 40 or 50 years old, was located about 300 feet to 350 feet from the owner's house.