BETHEL, NY — A blaze broke out in the barn at the Michel Farm in the Town of Bethel on June 17. The White Lake Fire Company and the Kauneonga Lake Fire Department responded at about 5:30 p.m.  

When the first truck arrived on scene, according to a post on the White Lake Fire Department’s Facebook page, first responders discovered, “a large scale barn fully involved. Mutual Aid was called from Jeffersonville, White Sulphur Springs, Youngsville, Kenoza Lake, Lake Huntington, Smallwood, Swan Lake, Forestburg, Roscoe, Callicoon, Loch Sheldrake and Monticello. Rock Hill, Hortonville, Port Jervis, Lava/Narrowsburg were on standby assignments. The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department assisted on scene as well as Bethel EMS, Mobilemedic, New York State Police and the Bethel Constables.”

Joanne Gerow, the animal control officer for the Town of Liberty reported on Facebook on June 17,  “As of this morning, the estimate of loss is 20 calves and 6-8 adult cows. Although heartbreaking, this is less than the original estimates and far more were saved. This County is truly amazing. A large number of livestock was saved with many local farms pitching in to transport and house the remaining cows. A tragedy, but our Sullivan County always comes together. Several local veterinarians were on the scene with multiple fire companies working in high heat.”

Catskill Veterinary Services posted that several Sullivan County veterinarians responded to the fire. The poster wrote, “Unfortunately, the entire barn and milkroom were lost in the blaze... Sixty animals were saved… The cattle have been moved to other farms to be milked and cared for.”