Over 200 cattle dead after Wellington County barn fire, estimated damages in the millions

Wellington North Fire Service (WNFS) says over 200 cattle died following an accidental barn fire on Saturday afternoon in a rural community near Arthur.

Wellington North Fire Service (WNFS) says over 200 cattle died following an accidental barn fire on Saturday afternoon in a rural community near Arthur.

Firefighters from multiple stations responded to the barn fire at a rural residence south of Conn – a small community just north of Arthur – on Saturday around 3:30 p.m.

Around 60 firefighters from eight stations including Arthur, Mt. Forest, Clifford, Harriston, Palmerston, Shelburne, Dundalk and Grand Valley attended the fire.

“Upon arrival, there was heavy smoke and flames visible out of the second floor of the building,” WNFS said in a news release. “The building was a beef barn holding approximately 300 head of cattle.”

The building collapsed, and the estimated damages is between $2 and $3 million.

"The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental in nature, starting in hay that had been piled in the barn. The damage is estimated to be between two and three million dollars," WNFS said.