A Pharsalia barn was totally destroyed by a fire Wednesday. (Photo by Tyler Murphy)

PHARSALIA – On Wednesday, a Pharsalia barn containing tons of stored hay and dozens of cows caught fire leading to a large emergency response from across Chenango County and nearby areas.

At about 12:41 p.m. on Thursday a 911 call was received reporting a barn fire at 2335 along State Route 23 in North Pharsalia. Fire crews from Plymouth, Pharsalia and Norwich responded within minutes of the call, and when they arrived they found the barn badly engulfed by flames.

Assistant Fire Chief Milt Blackman was in charge of the scene and one of the first to arrive with his crew. “It was fully involved, there was a garage and another barn nearby and we hit those right away. The main barn was too far gone, it was a defensive, containment response,” he said.

Blackman immediately called for support asking for ladder trucks and water tankers from any nearby fire department.

The farm has been owned by the Brown family for four generations, and is currently operated by two brothers Doug and Dean Brown and their families.

No injuries were reported in the fire, but at least one calf and possibly other small livestock died.