Fire destroys West End barn

A fast-moving fire destroyed a cattle barn on property belonging to the Altemose family in Brodheadsville on Saturday night.

According to West End Fire Chief, Don Zipp the call was received around 9:30 p.m. The West End Volunteer Fire Company was aided by Jackson Township Fire Department, Blue Ridge Hook and Ladder Co., Kunkletown Volunteer Fire Company and Polk Volunteer Fire Company.

Zipp said there were about 40 firefighters on the scene.

The crews were also assisted by West End Ambulance, St. Luke’s EMS and the Salvation Army canteen.

Farmers from local, neighboring farms also lent a hand.

“Honestly I don’t think that we could have had the success of getting the livestock out and handling the fire without the help of the other departments and the local farmers,” Zipp said.

“The farmers came and were going in and out of the burning barn with the firefighters to push the cows out into the yard and rounded them up and got them into a pen.”

Zipp said it was inspirational to see the neighbors pitching in to help out another farmer.

It took the departments until 1 a.m. to get the fire under control. Once the fire was knocked down the departments had additional help from Chestnuthill Township to finish the job.

“Supervisor Chris Eckert was on hand and two township employees used heavy equipment to help get the burning hay out from the barn and to rip the roofs off the out buildings,” Zipp said.

The entire operation wrapped up around 2:30 Sunday morning.

Zipp said that no cattle were lost in the fire. He also said that the fire was not suspicious in nature and that the source of the fire is under investigation.