Dairy barn burns in Spring Hill, Stearns County, cows and $100K lost

SPRING HILL -- Approximately 50 cows and a dairy barn were lost in a fire discovered around 2 a.m. Friday in Spring Hill Township of Stearns County.

According to a news release from Stearns County Sheriff John Sanner, deputies were dispatched to the fire at the Daniel Welle farm, 28714 363rd Avenue and arrived to find a large barn fully engulfed in fire.

About 20 to 25 cows got out of the barn unharmed, but the remaining animals and the barn were a total loss. The value of the loss is more than $100,000.

Several area fire departments, including crews from Lake Henry, Elrosa and Belgrade, assisted at the scene, along with the Melrose Ambulance.