Barn fire destroys milking and bottling plants at Brunton Dairy, no injuries reported

Garret Roberts, Beaver County Times
Updated ·1 min read
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INDEPENDENCE TWP. - A large barn fire erupted at one of Beaver County's most popular dairy farms Thursday evening.

First responders said the fire at Brunton Dairy started on the family-owned farm around 5 p.m. A second barn caught fire as flames intensified, causing a large column of black smoke to rise into the air.

Columns of smoke rise from the flames inside of a barn at Brunton Dairy on Oct. 26, 2023. According to the family farm operators, the milking and bottling production at the farm was destroyed in the fire.
Columns of smoke rise from the flames inside of a barn at Brunton Dairy on Oct. 26, 2023. According to the family farm operators, the milking and bottling production at the farm was destroyed in the fire.

No one was injured in the blaze, according to social media posts from dairy farm employee Jeff Brunton, but the milking barn and bottling plant were destroyed. Brunton said "almost all the cows" had escaped the Independence Township fire.

First responders from Beaver County and neighboring communities worked to battle the flames as the sun set, transporting water from a nearby creek to the scene via tankers.

First responders continued to battle a barn fire at Brunton Dairy into the evening on Oct. 26, with first responders transporting tankers of water through the region to battle the flames. According to the family, nobody was injured in the incident, but the farms production equipment was destroyed.
First responders continued to battle a barn fire at Brunton Dairy into the evening on Oct. 26, with first responders transporting tankers of water through the region to battle the flames. According to the family, nobody was injured in the incident, but the farms production equipment was destroyed.

Departments from Beaver Falls and North Sewickley traveled to the area to assist with the emergency response into the evening, with dozens of trucks lining the road to the farm.

Following the incident, there has been widespread community support for the farm. The Beaver Bagel Company announced it would donate a portion of weekend sales to the dairy farm. Beaver Falls Coffee and Tea also posted on their social media that 25% of their coffee bar sales on Saturday, Oct. 28, will go to recovery efforts at Brunton Dairy.

Cows escape the flames thanks to dedicated employees and first responders at Brunton Dairy on Oct. 26, 2023. According to Jeff Brunton, almost all of the animals were able to get to safety.
Cows escape the flames thanks to dedicated employees and first responders at Brunton Dairy on Oct. 26, 2023. According to Jeff Brunton, almost all of the animals were able to get to safety.

Community members also started a GoFundMe page to raise money for the Brunton family on Thursday evening, which organizers said will help the farm "get back on their feet." As of Friday afternoon, the campaign has passed $57,000 in donations and continues to grow.

The Beaver County Times will continue to follow this story as more information is released to the public.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Fire at Brunton Dairy destroys milking barn, bottling plant