Officials tell WNBF that the hay on the site of a huge barn fire that happened in Chenango Forks on Tuesday, October 10th, could burn for a week.

Multiple local fire departments including Whitney Point, Harpursville, Greene, and Chenango Forks were on the scene to fight the 5:30pm blaze. Officials say that about 70 cows were rescued thanks to the efforts of dozens of farmers who came in from four different counties. Those farmers who were part of the rescue efforts are currently sheltering the Aukema family’s herd.

Officials say the Aukema Dairy Farm is a total loss, however, no one was hurt. While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, it’s believed that a malfunction in a feeding tractor is what sparked the fire.

GoFundMe donation page has been created to help the Aukema family to “help rebuild their barn and cover costs for the cleanup efforts after the fire.” As of Thursday morning, over $7,000 had been raised.

Aukema Dairy Farm Co-Owner Pat Aukema told WBNG, “Thank you to the hundreds of local neighbors, farmers, friends, that came here last night and today. Helped move cows, bring their trucks and trailers, and just all the help they gave. And the fire departments, eight, nine fire departments. Just thank you to all of them, from the bottom of our hearts.”

[via GoFundMe/WBNG]

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