15 towns respond to Lancaster barn fire

LANCASTER, Mass. (WHDH) -- Fierce flames tore through a business in Lancaster on Saturday, requiring 15 towns to help put out the flames.

Thurley Piermarini watched in horror as flames ripped through a barn at Manny's Dairy Farm, right next to where to she lives.

“Terrible luck, terrible luck,” Piermarini said.

Flames spread quickly Saturday afternoon and smoke could be seen for miles.

“It’s an older barn, had a heavy, timber wood frame, so the fire got a really good head start,” said a firefighter.

Crews worried about propane tanks on the property exploding. It took dozens of firefighters and several hours to put out the blaze.

“We’ve got at least 15 towns here,” the firefighter said.

Authorities said the barn was being used to process meat, but the owners said no livestock died and no one was injured, all the more amazing, considering there are no fire hydrants on this side of Lancaster.

Neighbors are relieved.

“Really nice family, good neighbors, good people. I was glad to see that no one got hurt,” said a neighbor.

The family said they were able to get all of the animals out of the barn just in the nick of time. The cause of the fire is under investigation.