Several animals were killed in a Sunday afternoon fire that destroyed a barn in Farmington Township.

The call went out at 3:20 p.m. for the fire at 250 Rowley Road – right on the Farmington and Sugar Grove township line. Firefighters from a dozen departments responded.

When firefighters arrived, the structure was about 50 percent involved – “spreading quickly,” according to Sugar Grove Assistant Chief Ben Chase. The fire started from an explosion in the milk house, apparently from a gas line.

The barn housed numerous animals, including horses, goats, dogs, chickens and turkeys.

“No one was in the structure,” Chase said. “There were no injuries to any people.”

“The homeowner and some neighbors opened the gates and let the animals out,” Chase said. “All of the horses escaped. One dog and three goats did not make it.”

See Tuesday’s edition for complete coverage.