PLEASANTVILLE -- Two barns were destroyed and dozens of cattle were killed in a Tuesday morning barn fire at the Garman Family Farm along King St. Clair Road, Bedford County.
Firefighters received the call at 9:45 a.m. for the fire, and as first responders arrived on scene, heavy fire and black smoke billowed into the sky.
Imler Fire Chief Rob Dennis said about 90 cattle perished in the blaze.
Dennis said firefighters attempted to rescue the cattle, but the barn was already fully involved when firefighters arrived on scene.
"The conditions were unsafe, and there unfortunately wasn't anything we could do," he said.
"It's a very sad situation," Bedford County Emergency Management Director Dave Cubbison said.
According to Cubbison, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Department of Agriculture were notified of the fire, and the DoA is expected to be on site to conduct an investigation.
The state police fire marshal's division was also on scene investigating the fire, and while an official cause has yet to be announced, Dennis said he was informed by the homeowners that the fire is believed to have started from an electrical malfunction.
"They think it was likely from an electrical malfunction from two tractors that were charging," Dennis said.
The fire drew firefighters and equipment from about 20 fire departments across five counties, with crews from Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Huntingdon and Somerset, as well as Allegany County, Maryland, called in to help.
"It was a great team effort by everyone involved," Cubbison said.
Emergency officials used large tanker trucks and portable dump tanks to pump water to the scene from two nearby fill sites.
The Duncansville Fire Company reported that about 16 tankers assisted at the scene.
"There were a lot of tankers that spent the entire day shuttling water to the fire," Cubbison said.
Firefighters worked into the evening to extinguish the fire and had a difficult time controlling the blaze due to one barn that was filled almost entirely with hay, Cubbison said.
Cubbison said an excavator was brought in to help remove and mitigate collapsed portions of both barns.
The excavator was also used to remove smoldering hay from the barn, he said.
"The fire has pretty much been an all-day event," Cubbison said.
King St. Clair Road was closed for the majority of the day, and a PennDOT crew assisted with traffic control.
Cubbison said the Chestnut Ridge School District was notified of the fire and road closure in case any bus routes needed to be adjusted.
A number of "good Samaritans" in the community provided food and warm beverages to those on scene, Cubbison said.
"That's always very appreciated at these larger fires, especially in colder, icy and snowy weather," Cubbison said. "We really appreciate everyone in our community that steps up and pitches in."