SAINT-MATHIAS-SUR-RICHELIEU – A fire broke out early Sunday morning at a dairy farm in the Monterégie, killing around 100 cows.
Emergency services were called to the the Daigneault and Sons farm, on the Chemin des Patriotes in Saint-Mathias-sur-Richelieu, at around 4:30 a.m.
Reports indicate that a thick column of black smoke could be seen rising from the inferno kilometres from the scene.
Firefighters from neighbouring communities were called in to assist the local crew.
Some 40 firefighters tackled the blaze and at noon, the fire was still burning.
Daniel Cléroux with the Saint-Mathias fire department told Global News that crews would be there for at least another two to three hours.
“Right now we are using a digger to smother outbreaks,” Cléroux explained.
Despite a rapid response, Cléroux said at least 100 cows perished in the blaze and only about 10 were rescued.
Cléroux confirmed the building was a complete loss.
And while the cause of the fire is still not known Cléroux said it does not appear to be criminal in nature.