Community rallies after late night blaze at Beekmantown dairy farm

BEEKMANTOWN | As word of a devastating barn fire spread, fellow farmers and neighbors rallied behind Bubbins Farm and turned out in mass to help rescue animals and aid in the aftermath. Crews from more than a dozen area fire departments were called to the Pardy Road farm at about 8:30 p.m. Oct. 5 after flames erupted inside one of the main barns at the working dairy farm. Within minutes, Clinton County Emergency Services called for the county's Tanker Task Force, bringing equipment, tankers and manpower from across the Northern Tier and beyond. Beekmantown Fire Department volunteers arrived at the raging inferno within minutes of the first reports to find flames already showing from one of the barns. Soon, the raging inferno lit the night sky and could be seen from Interstate 87 as flames engulfed the building and threatened the maze of nearby structures. An aerial truck was used to tackle flames from the sky as crews raced to fill tankers at several nearby water sources. The fill efforts were initially complicated by ongoing traffic and led to brief closures in the areas of Spellman Road and Route 9. Neighbors watched the devastation unfold in horror as fellow farmers and area veterinarians joined the late-night effort to help relocate and care for the surviving animals. It was unclear how many livestock perished in the blaze, but early reports indicated roughly 400 cows were killed. New York State Police troopers maintained traffic control, but also reportedly joined the animal rescue efforts, trudging through the wet farmland to help move pens and the animals away from danger. Firefighters and fire investigators remained at the farm through the night and are continuing to investigate the cause. The fire ultimately claimed two of the big barns on Bubbins Farm, which is reportedly now owned by Adirondack Farms. Several other buildings were damaged. Early estimates put the damage at $2-$3 million. No further details were immediately available Oct. 6 when Sun Community News went to print.

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Community rallies after late night blaze at Beekmantown dairy farm

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