FIREFIGHTERS: "A lot" of neighboring friends and farmers assisted with cattle removal after barn roof collapse in Southern Lewis County

LEWIS COUNTY- A barn roof collapse Wednesday afternoon just north of Boonville, NY prompted a mass response from local fire departments, police agencies and neighboring friends.

It happened around 12:30 p.m. at 2044 State Route 12-D in Talcottville, NY. Boonville Fire Department was the primary responder on-scene. Constableville provided mutual aid. 

Second Assistant Fire Chief Allen Austin says there were 100 cattle altogether inside when a portion of the barn roof collapsed.

Specifically, Second Chief Austin told us there were about 40 - 45 cattle where the barn caved. Fortunately, he reports that the vast majority of cows made it out unharmed. 

For now, emergency responders said the rest of the barn is secure and the roof collapsed likely from a very heavy snow load.

Despite the heat of the moment and chaos in trying to rescue as many cows as possible, emergency officials made high note of the fact that several neighboring farmers and friends dropped everything they were doing to simply help a family in need.

"Farmers are a unique group because there was a lot of help there," Second Chief Austin emphasized.

"This is what taking care of your community is all about. In a world full of chaos, and as hard of a situation this was, every single person came there with their heart in the right place in a family’s time of need," Constableville Fire Department said in a statement released to social media. 

A portion of State Route 12-D was closed down while emergency responders were on-scene and since has re-opened.

Several other area police agencies and officials assisted on-scene.

Image via the Constableville Fire Department.