Oct. 27--ELK GROVE -- A barn full of hay caught fire Thursday morning, forcing the evacuation of dozens of cows into the cold morning.
The blaze on Carroll Way in Elk Grove began after 1 a.m., fire crews found the barn swallowed in orange flames. The fiery glow from Holstein's Dairy Farm was visible for miles.
Dairy workers and firefighters quickly moved the cows to another part of the farm, where the animals were milked and fed like any other day. When the fire started, some of the animals were just 30-feet away from the flames. However, none were hurt.
Fire crews are standing by, but will let the hay barn burn itself out. "We're going to be out here babysitting for a couple of days," said Cosumnes Fire Battalion Chief Craig Hersconitz.
They have sprayed water on nearby structures and are watching the fire carefully in case the hay collapses and sends embers and flames scattering.
No word at this time on how the fire started.
