A beloved Vermont dairy farm is no more after a massive Easter fire destroyed it and killed all the cows inside.
Two houses as well as the barn at the Wallace Family Farm in Waterbury were completely wiped out during the fire on Sunday night.
All the farm’s livestock, around 15 milking cows, were lost in the fire and authorities say ‘nothing is salvageable’, according to WVNY.
A massive fire has destroyed the beloved Wallace Family Farm in Waterbury, Vermont
Vermont State Police, local police, EMTs and at least five different fire departments worked to tame the flames that could reportedly be seen from as far as 20 miles away
Owner Rosina Wallace and her brother Kay, who also lives at the farm, were unharmed in the fire.
The only animal survivor of the blaze was Wallace’s dog, who firefighters were able to get out of the house on time.
‘But she’s got virtually nothing else [left] but friends and family,’ Fire Chief Gary Dillon said.
Authorities say the fire started at around dinnertime on Sunday and devastated the two houses and the barn (the farm is pictured on Monday)
The only survivors of the fire were owner Rosina Wallace, her brother Kay and dog (pictured after the fire)
Vermont State Police, local police, EMTs and at least five different fire departments worked to tame the flames that could reportedly be seen from as far as 20 miles away, according to to the local media outlet.
Fifth-generation farmer Wallace is a highly-regarded member of the community known for inviting school children to the local landmark to show them what farm life is like.
The farm has been around since 1866 and celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2016 by having people come meet – and milk – the cows, learn about the Wallace family history and enjoy live music and nature walks.
Fifth-generation farmer Wallace is a highly-regarded member of the community
The former teacher is known for often inviting school children to the local landmark to teach them about agriculture and dairy farming
Wallace’s father Keith was a legendary dairyman in the area, who went on to become state representative and then senator.
‘This is just a different world,’ she said. ‘Even for kids who grow up right next door, if they don’t come visit the farm, they don’t make the connections,’ Rosina once said, according to the Cabot Cheese website. ‘That was the stuff that was important to my father and the generations that have been on the farm.’
The cause of the fire, which started around dinnertime, remains unknown but Dillon said the farm’s old, dry wood contributed to its spread.
A YouCaring page has been set up to collect funds for Wallace as she recovers from the tragedy.
Its description reads: ‘Rosina has always given to the community of Waterbury and now it’s time for the community to give back to a lady that is so very deserving of our help.’
The page had collected $18,977 of the $35,000 goal as of Monday afternoon.
A YouCaring page has collected $18,977 of the $35,000 goal as of Monday afternoon