CHASE MILLS — Seventy-six calves, some just a few days old, died in a Thanksgiving morning fire at River Breeze Farm, town of Waddington.

Stephen R. McKnight, who owns the County Route 14 dairy farm with a few family members, said firefighters didn't have much of a chance to save the calves or large two-story wooden barn. Waddington firefighters responded about 4:45 a.m. to the fire.

"By the time we got there, there was virtually nothing left," Mr. McKnight said. "Everything had burnt to the ground."

The calves killed in the fire were from 1 day to 4 weeks old. Firefighters believe the blaze was going for some time before a town of Madrid snowplow driver saw the fire and called emergency dispatchers.

Waddington Fire Chief Matthew G. Mayette said the lack of traffic on Thanksgiving Day and people not having to work contributed to the late report of the fire.

About 50 volunteer firefighters responded to the scene. The Madrid and Louisville fire departments also responded to the scene, while the Morley and Lisbon departments were placed on standby.

Firefighters were able to save a newly constructed grain dryer. The calves and building were insured and no injuries were reported.

Family members were counting their blessings despite the substantial loss of animals and property.

"It could have been a lot worse situation, should we have tried to go inside the burning barn and rescue some of the calves," Mr. McKnight said. "We could have hurt ourselves."

The loss of the calves will hurt the dairy farm, which has about 2,100 cows.

"It really will impact us in about 23 months," Mr. McKnight said. "That's about the time they can start producing milk."

He said several dairy employees came in on their day off, along with several neighbors and farmers, to assist the family. The family plans to build a similar-size barn to house calves in the spring.

St. Lawrence County fire investigators on Friday continued to search for the cause of the fire, but said the blaze didn't appear suspicious, Mr. Mayette said. No damage estimate was available.