ASHTABULA COUNTY, Ohio — Over 70 firefighters were on the scene as flames broke out at Comp Dairy Farm in Ashtabula County on Sunday evening. While no injuries to people were reported, several cows were killed.
Comp Dairy Farm is located on the 3000 block of Allen-Comp Road in Dorset. In operation since 1885, the farm is home to approximately 2,000 dairy cows, making it one of the largest dairy farms in the county.
While on the scene, 3News was told that local farmers gathered to help the family who owns the farm as well as the firefighters who were helping contain the fire.
"We witnessed incredible support from our local community, as well as fire departments from across Ashtabula County, Trumbull County, Geauga County, and Crawford County, PA," wrote Dorset Township Fire Chief Jared Rogge on the department's Facebook page. "Over 70 firefighters worked tirelessly for many hours, not only battling the fire but ensuring thorough overhaul operations to prevent further risk."
Rogge added that the fire remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshal's Office.
"Once again, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you to all the fire departments, community members, and volunteers who contributed their time, resources, and expertise," he added. "Without each and every one of you, we would not have had such a positive outcome."
You can read Rogge's complete letter to the community on Facebook below.
On Monday, 3News spoke with Jerry Comp, whose family has owned the farm since the 1800s.
"We're pretty sure we had like an electrical fire where our water comes in at. A pump might have shorted or something," he said. "I seen (sic) the fire when it was small and it just took off. Wasn't a lot I could do but get the cows out."
He explained that the fire heavily damaged a milking parlor, leaving hundreds of his cows with no place to be milked. So all of Sunday night and deep into the morning, neighboring farmers came to pick up cows and take them where they could be cared for.
"We're grateful for all the local farmers that worked through the night, many of them after working all day yesterday, taking somewhere between five and 20 cows," Ohio state Rep. Sarah Fowler Arthur (R-Ashtabula) said. "The response has just really been touching to see."
Comp did report that a small number of cows died in the fire. He has no current estimate of damage or timeline of repairs.
