Multi-alarm fire destroys barns on Meadow Street in Amherst

AMHERST, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - Crews spent much of Friday afternoon battling a large fire on Meadow Street in Amherst.

Neighbors told us that it was a lightning bolt hitting a barn that sparked the fire.

Heavy dark smoke could be seen from miles away as flames engulfed the barn.

Amherst Fire Chief Tim Nelson told us that it took crews between four and five hours to put out the flames. He added that the fire started at a barn attached to a house and the heat from the fire spread to two additional barns, which were all destroyed.

Meadow Street, where the barns are located, remained closed as of 10:30 p.m. Friday.

Crews from the Amherst Fire Department battled the fire, alongside the Hadley, Northampton, and Pelham Fire Departments. Nelson told us that, at the height of the fire, there were 75 first responders on-scene.

We were told the barn is home to a number of cows that have been taken elsewhere.

Nelson explained that no injuries were reported and fire crews were able to save the house to which the barn was attached.

Western Mass News will continue to follow this story and will have more information as it becomes available.

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