Kloosterman’s Farm Fire in Thornton Ontario

A peaceful August afternoon turned into tragedy for the Kloosterman family of Essalea Farms this week when their barns, milk parlour and part of their cattle herd were destroyed by fire.

Before starting evening chores on Sunday afternoon, the Kloostermans discovered their dairy barn was in flames. This farm is well cared for, and has been for four generations. As flames and smoke filled the sky, the farm filled with fire trucks from four nearby stations.

Word of the crisis spread and local farmers began appearing to help, bringing trailers to evacuate 92 milk cows from the pasture. In the uncontrollable flames though, 50 young cows and calves still in the barn were tragically lost. Despite all the acts of heroism on August 7 and 12 hours of fire fighting, the family's barn was destroyed.

They will rebuild, but there is a very long road ahead. The estimate is it may take up to two years to rebuild before the cows can return.

In the months until then, we are inviting you to help the Kloostermans by making a donation to this: Big or small, each will assist this family as they work to rebuild their farm.