Minn. Dairy Farm Barn Fire Claims 100 Calves

Farm workers discovered a fire that fully engulfed a San Francisco Township barn and killed about 100 calves early Tuesday morning.

Source Star Tribune (Minneapolis)

Feb. 12, 2013

Feb. 12--Flames engulfed a barn on a dairy farm in the southwest metro early Tuesday, killing about 100 calves among the hundreds of animals kept on the property, authorities said.

Fire crews remained on the scene "working the hot spots" at Halquist Farms on 182nd Street, west of Carver County Rd. 40, in San Francisco Township, said Belle Plaine Fire Chief Todd Otto.

No farm employees or firefighters were hurt, Otto said. The cause of the blaze has yet to be determined.

The fire was discovered as the farm workers went to milk the cows, the chief said. The farm's owners are on vacation, and Otto said he's not sure whether they know about the fire.

Paul Walsh -- 612-673-4482