Firefighters battle blaze at Amherst dairy farm 

AMHERST — A lightning strike at around 4:30 p.m. Friday appears to have started a fire that caused extensive damage to barns, silos and part of a home at J&J Farms, the last dairy farm in town, according to the Amherst Fire Department.

Three barns were destroyed in the blaze, though the home, which suffered water and smoke damage, was saved, Amherst Fire Chief Walter “Tim” Nelson said Friday night. No people, cows or horses were injured, he said.

“A great job by first responders,” Nelson said.

Amherst, Hadley, Northampton, Belchertown, Leverett and Peham fire departments were among those responding to the 324 Meadow St. location to put out the blaze, which was extinguished by 9 p.m. Smoke could be seen as far away as the shopping malls on Route 9 in Hadley.

Meadow Street was closed from Knightly Road in Hadley to Russellville Road in Amherst. Nelson said crews would be working through the night to put out hot spots at the fire scene.

J&J Farms cows can often be seen grazing along the road and a vegetable stand is open seasonally selling products like asparagus and sweet corn.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available. ]]>