Most cows saved during massive fire on Agassiz farm thanks to fast work of farmers, neighbours
Image courtesy of The Agassiz-Harrison Observer.
Nina Grossman of The Agassiz-Harrison Observer reported on the Wednesday September 19, 2018 fire at the Peterson Family Farm. Around 10:50 pm, residents near the 1500 block of Cameron Road started smelling smoke. Within 20 minutes, almost all of the Peterson Farm buildings were engulfed in flames.
Firefighters from Agassiz, Popkum, Seabird Island and Chilliwack fought against the massive blaze. Three of the Peterson’s 70 cows died, but the loss could have been higher if neighbours hadn’t helped free the animals, round them up and load them onto trailers, taking them to nearby properties for safe keeping. Neighbour Kim Kehler noted that, “The dairy community is a tight community. When one gets in trouble, they’re all here.”
Fire crews remained on the scene for a few days following the fire, wetting the hay and rubble until it could be cleared up. The cause of the fire is not confirmed, but it likely started in the wood-built silo bunker, where corn silage and hay was stored. It’s possible that the bunker overheated, igniting the hay, and starting the fast-spreading blaze.