140 livestock killed in barn fire near Stratford

Wilmot Easthope Rd between Perth Line 45 and Perth Line 43 was temporarily closed while emergency services responded, but has since been reopened. (Source: OPP)

About 140 livestock were killed in a barn fire in Perth East early Saturday morning.

Firefighters responded to Wilmot Easthope Road, in the Town of Gads Hill, just before 5 a.m.

Members of Perth Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Perth County Emergency Medical Services and Perth East Fire attended the scene.

Police said the structure housed approximately 140 livestock, including 10 calves, 20 heifers, 50 ewes and 60 lambs, all of which died in the fire.

Firefighters were able to contain and extinguish the blaze. Police said one Perth County OPP officer also assisted crews with the emergency response.

Wilmot Easthope Road, between Perth Line 45 and Perth Line 43, was temporarily closed while emergency services responded to the fire.

The Office of the Fire Marshal was contacted and determined the fire was not considered suspicious.