(Updated Tuesday 5 p.m.)
At least four fire companies were called to a Britton Road dairy farm in Shippensburg Township on Monday at about 10 p.m. after receiving reports of a barn fire.
The blaze occurred at 445 Britton Road, less than one mile from Shippensburg University. The fire originated in a building used to milk cows before spreading to the farm’s main barn, according to Vigilant Hose Company Fire Chief Clyde Tinner. Nobody was injured, said Tinner.
Tinner said the cause of the fire was ruled accidental, according to Tinner. The wife of the farm’s owner suspected the fire may have been caused by a malfunction in the pipe used to milk cows. The roof of the main barn collapsed and flames shot out the sides of the hole. Firefighters used ladders to reach the second floor to extinguish the flames.
West End Fire and Rescue, Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose and South Newtown Township’s fire companies responded to the fire and Shippensburg EMS was on standby. About a dozen engines responded, along with several tanker trucks, bringing dozens of firefighters to the scene.
A water trough was placed at the corner of Mowrey and Britton Roads for tanker trucks to unload water and pump it up to the farm.
The farm’s owners were insured and were able to begin repairs to the buildings almost immediately after the fire was extinguished.
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