A massive fire tore through a historic Long Island family farm, destroying its main barn and injuring those who raced inside to save the animals, according to police.
Dozens of animals were killed in the devastating fire at the family-owned Wells Farm in Northville, prompting a massive response from half a dozen fire departments and the Riverhead Police Department Wednesday evening.
Laura Wells, whose husband and son run the day-to-day operations of the East End farm, said the family is shattered and unsure how they’ll recover after watching the barn — an old, sprawling wooden structure — go up in flames within minutes.
“This is just devastating,” she told News 12 Long Island.
“I honestly don’t know what we’re going to do.”
Wells said that first responders and relatives sprinted into the burning building to pull out as many trapped animals as possible, saving 19 pigs, but two others perished alongside dozens of chickens before anyone could reach them.
“My two granddaughters ended up in the hospital trying to rescue the pigs,” Wells said.
“Thank goodness for the police and the firefighters. They helped us get the pigs out of there.”
One cop and both granddaughters were treated for smoke inhalation at the scene and taken to Peconic Bay Medical Center, police said.
Animal advocacy group, Humane Long Island, was called to the property to inspect the animals, many of which suffered burns, lacerations and heavy smoke exposure, they said.
A cause for the fire hasn’t been determined yet, but police said it does not appear to be a case of arson.
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