The Uxbridge Fire Department says a fire that broke out at a farm in Mount Albert, Ont., on Wednesday has caused a “total loss” of a structure.
Chief Phil Alexander told Global News the fire started at around 5 p.m. at Brooks Farms near York Durham Line and Ashworth Road. Crews battled the fire until about 2 a.m. on Thursday.
Alexander said there were no injuries except that multiple ducks, chickens and turkeys died in the fire.
According to the Brooks Farms Facebook page, the fire took out a separate, old barn that was on the property and it did not affect the main Farm Market, which is still open for business.
Global News spoke with Paul Brooks, the co-owner of Brooks Farms, who said the fire started shortly after the power went out in the area. Brooks said he had just finished making dinner for his kids.
“When the lights went out I could just tell there was an eerie glow to the east through our windows. And I knew something was horribly wrong,” Brooks said.
“It seemed completely surreal as I walked out our back door to the farmhouse and saw the bulk of the barn engulfed in flames.”
Brooks said his mother and father, who live across the street, rushed to the farm.
“Everyone was getting pretty emotional at that moment. I don’t think it has really sunk in yet. This was really an important part of our family history here, the barn,” Brooks added.
Brooks said the barn, dubbed “the party room,” was meant for people to enjoy a space on the farm property and it was also where they stored equipment.
The Brooks family has owned the farm since 1886 and the burnt-down barn was roughly 120 years old. They are sixth-generation farmers and Brooks said he owns the farm with his wife.
The cause and origin of the fire is currently unknown.
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