Feb. 4: Stirling Barn Fire

The paint on the barn’s exterior bubbled and burned as the intense heat from the flames tore through the building, leaving nothing but a blackened skeleton of what once was the milking parlour at the Jeffs family dairy farm.

Neighbours’ cars lined Hoards Rd., Stirling in front of the Jeffs’ property, anxious to help minimize the damage.

“It was very impressive to see in the farm community that amount of people show up,” said deputy fire chief Bob Pattimore, “knowing they would need to move 120 head of cattle to a place where they could be milked, fed and cared for. When the fire dept was doing their job in extinguishing the blaze, the farm community was setting up a convoy of trucks, trailers and tractors to get the cattle moved over to MR. Dracups farm just North of Stirling. With the effort of 60-70 people in the farm community it was done in a very short time and organized.

“I have never seen anything of that magnitude before.”

At approximately 3p.m. on Feb. 4, the alarm was sounded and fire trucks from the Stirling-Rawdon district and four surrounding townships were dispatched.

“We’re guessing it was in the milk-house side where it [the fire] started. There were no cows. There were actually calves in the huts, but we got them out in time,” explained Pat Jeffs, co-owner of Jeffs Farms.

Many uncertainties remain in the aftermath of such an unfortunate event, but the lingering question is what triggered this inferno on Monday afternoon?

“First thing you do is identify the area of origin. Then you have to systematically examine the area of origin to identify possible ignition sources. Then you have to confirm or eliminate different ignition sources. You have to look at electrical, accidental, incineration, fuel sources, or sometimes even mother nature in the summertime when lightning strikes. Combine all these factors, and you get your area of origin,” said fire investigator James O’Donnell.

After a two day investigation, fire chief Kevin Schooler is speculating that an electrical motor overheating in the parlour was the initial cause, but has not been confirmed.

“As far as we know there is nothing suspicious about the fire. The fire department will continue their investigation to determine if it is suspicious in nature. If something is suspicious they will contact us and we would join the investigation,” said Brian Foley, deputy police chief of the Stirling-Rawdon force.

The Jeffs family intends on rebuilding the barn and continuing with their dairy operation, but little detail is known about the specifics. Two insurance companies were on site before the fire was extinguished, with hopes of getting the Jeffs back on their feet as soon as possible.

“They are excellent people to work for, and I hope the community comes together and helps them out,” said John Abraham, a former employee at the Jeffs farm.