The farmer’s family where a barn burned down on the Gouwe in Hoogwoud last night is devastated by the loss of their four horses. “They were our family members,” the resident says emotionally. Fortunately, the fire could still be prevented from spreading to the cowshed right next to it. Thanks to the fire department and the wind.
She still can’t believe it how fast it went last night. She and her husband were working in the cow shed. “The cows became restless. When we went to look, there were already big flames.”
‘We ran to the horses to save them’
They run to the barn to save the horses. “We had just taken it off land and brought it in just before.” But the fire is already too fierce at that time. And even though the fire brigade is quick to act, the horses can no longer be saved.
The resident has tears in her eyes. “My daughters and I used to ride those horses. They were our family members.” Just to show how important the animals were to the family.
Favorable wind saves cowshed
Meanwhile, there are also concerns about the dairy farm’s cow shed. It is right next to the barn. The fire brigade keeps the roof wet to prevent the fire from spreading. “And we were lucky that the wind was in the right direction. Because if it had spread to the stable, the suffering would have been incalculable.”
The fire brigade is still present this morning. The barn was full of hay and the fire could flare up again at any moment. With tractors, the hay is removed from the barn little by little. Meanwhile, there is also occasional extinguishing.
The resident is still in the dark about the cause. “Further research is being done today. But there was a lot of hay in the barn. So if that catches fire, it just goes very quickly.”
It is still unclear whether the barn will have to be demolished.