Barn fires kill multiple cattle at Auglaize County dairy farm

Multiple cows were killed after two barns went up in flames at a large dairy farm in Auglaize County late Saturday night.

The Buckland Fire Department was dispatched around 9:05 p.m. on Dec. 6 to the 15000 block of Fox Ranch Road in Wapakoneta for a reported structure fire. When crews arrived, they found two barns burning — one fully engulfed and the other about 50% involved.

Firefighters launched an offensive attack to stop the spread and protect nearby buildings, ultimately preventing the flames from reaching any additional structures.

Heavy equipment, including an excavator and a bulldozer, was brought in to move metal and hay from the destroyed barns so crews could fully contain the blaze.

The property is a large dairy operation, and a few calves were lost. The exact number of animals killed has not yet been confirmed.

Multiple agencies responded to assist, including the Auglaize County CERT team, fire departments from Wapakoneta, Botkins, Wayne Township, St. Marys Township, New Knoxville, New Bremen, St. John’s, Uniopolis, and Minster, along with the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office.

Fire crews remained on scene until shortly after 8 a.m. Sunday.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.