KANTZ — A 52-year-old barn housing a Penn Township farmer’s 50-cattle dairy operation was destroyed and four animals were killed when the two-story structure caught fire early Saturday.

Farmer John Martin, 39, of 1528 Middle Creek Road, was alerted to the blaze shortly after midnight Friday by a passing motorist, who blew his pickup truck horn from the road. The man, who Martin said was believed to be from Freeburg, helped rescue two horses and move numerous dairy cattle away from the burning barn.

“When I ran out of the house, he said the fire company was on its way,” Martin said. “We (neighbors and family) started getting the cattle out of the barn. There wasn’t much time to think.”

Despite the heroic efforts of the good samaritan, neighbors and family members, Martin lost a bull, three horses and 1,500 bales of hay. Martin said it appeared the fire started near a diesel unit that ran the milking system.

“We’re not really sure how it started,” said Martin, adding that 46 dairy cows were taken to his two brothers’ farms along nearby Verdilla Road. “I have no idea how much (cost) damage there was.”

Martin had four cows stay behind for the family to use.

Jason Kauffman, Dauntless Hook & Ladder Fire Co. deputy fire chief, said the barn was fully engulfed with flames when firefighters arrived around 12:15 a.m. The intense four-alarm blaze, which drew about 100 volunteers from 14 Valley fire companies, destroyed the barn. Firefighters were able to save three silos and two adjacent storage buildings.

Firefighters spent eight hours battling the blaze and clearing the scene, Kauffman said.

Martin said he has no reason to believe the fire was arson. However, Kauffman said the fire is under an investigation that will be taken over by a state police fire marshal early this week.

Martin, who has no insurance, said his fellow church members from Old Stouffer Mennonite Church along Produce Road will work together to rebuild the barn. Martin said he had no idea how soon work would begin, as neighbors and family members just started to discuss the plan.

About 25 volunteers were at the farm within two hours of firefighters clearing the scene at 8 a.m. Saturday. The first step was to get the remaining animal feed out of one of the silos, Martin said, adding his daily milking will be done at his brothers’ farms.

Martin’s father, Raymond Martin, 78, said the barn, originally built in 1957, underwent several additions and survived tornado damage 15 years ago. All that was left Saturday was a charred pit with crumbled steel siding surrounded by the three standing silos and storage buildings.

“It sure came down much quicker than we put it up,” Raymond Martin said.

Assisting Dauntless at the scene were firefighters from Freeburg, Hummels Wharf, Shamokin Dam, Kreamer, Mount Pleasant Mills, Port Trevorton, Middleburg, New Berlin, Winfield, Watsontown, Sunbury and Northumberland.

Local fire police, emergency medical technicians and American Red Cross volunteers also assisted, Kauffman said.