INGLESIDE — Thirty-two head of cattle perished in an afternoon barn fire, north of Ingleside on County Road 18, west of Cornwall.

Ingleside firefighters were able to save more than 40 cows in the blazing fire April 30. Assisted by firefighters with the Newington and Long Sault departments, one building was saved, says fire Chief David Brown.

The animals were housed in a tie-stall barn and most of the animals that died were in the milking line. "A barn fire is never a small fire," Brown said, lamenting the loss.

Damage is estimated in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, but owner Kenneth Russell says he’s only covered for $80,000. In business for more than 45 years, the 65-year-old says he’s too old to start over again.

He had moved bales of hay in the morning, then went to run some errands. When he returned at 12:30 p.m. the barn was blazing.

The fire marshal, police and Chief Brown were on the scene the next day to determine the cause of the fire.