Fire destroys barn near Mitchell

Extended: Barn fire near Mitchell Firefighters battle a barn fire near Mitchell, Ont.

A barn near Mitchell was destroyed Monday morning by a fire.

Firefighters received the call around 6:40 a.m. and responded to the barn, on Highway 23 just north of Mitchell, finding it fully engulfed in flames.

Smoke and flames could be seen from several kilometres away.

There were approximately 60 cattle and goats kept in the barn.

Some cattle were able to escape and make their way to nearby fields, and more were rescued, but it is believed a number of animals perished in the fire.

“We haven’t been able to do a proper count on the livestock,” West Perth fire chief Bill Hunter tells CTV News.

Two fire trucks were shuttled back and forth between the barn and Mitchell, five kilometres away, where they loaded up on water at the nearest hydrant.

About 20 firefighters were used to help contain the fire to the main building.

A section of Highway 23 was closed while firefighters battled the fire.

The cause of the fire and a damage estimate were not immediately available.

No injuries were reported.