A quick moving, two-alarm fire Thursday evening destroyed a barn at the Leach Farm, killing dozens of animals inside.

David Leach, who lives alone on the Great Rock Road farm that his father, William, bought in 1924, said he lost 11 cattle, three pigs, eight goats and some 50 chickens in the fire that broke out around 7:30 p.m.

"Everything was all right at six o'clock," said Leach, when he completed his day's chores in the barn and then went into the main residence to retire for the night.

Suddenly, he added, "somebody was knocking on my door, screeching and hollering," to tell him the barn was on fire.

Leach thinks one of the animals may have chewed through a lighting wire — the barn is unheated — starting the fire.

Alan MacRae/For The Citizen A barn on Great Rock Road in Sandwich burned Thursday night, killing several animals. Click here to view Foster's prints for sale

Sandwich Assistant Fire Chief Bob Miner said the fire is under investigation and is not suspicious in origin.

"I don't know what I'm going to do," said Leach who was grateful that firefighters, by spraying foam, were able to prevent exposure to a shed and his house.

Miner said getting water to the fire was a challenge, with lines extending 4,500 feet in one direction to a tanker relay source and 1,600 feet in another to a brook.

The initial report of the fire said the 30-foot by 60-foot barn was "well-involved" which prompted Miner to strike a first alarm. Driving to the scene and seeing "an orange glow" from the Great Rock Road area, Miner struck the second alarm

Upon arrival, Miner said, the barn was "beyond salvage." Firefighters made sure, however, that it did not spread, he said.

Alan MacRae/For The Citizen The use of foam saved other structures at the Great Rock Road fire in Sandwich but a barn with several animals inside was destroyed by the blaze. Click here to view Foster's prints for sale

Miner expected the after-fire overhaul to go on for several hours. An excavator was brought in to knock down what remained of the barn.

"I don't know what I'm going to do," said Leach of his future, other than there would be a call to his insurance company.

Despite his loss, Leach maintained his sense of humor, gesturing to the half-dozen relatives who heard of his misfortune and came to support him.

"We're having a family reunion tonight," Leach said. "Everybody showed up."

Alan MacRae/For The Citizen Only rubble remains of a barn that was destroyed by fire Thursday night. Click here to view Foster's prints for sale