Hundreds Of Animals Killed In NJ Farm Fire

HOPE, NJ — The community has rallied around a Warren County farm after a devastating fire last week, which killed 400 chickens and 40 pigs, and destroyed some of the farm's equipment.

The blaze broke out at Hope Cress Farms on Thursday, according to the Hope Volunteer Fire Department. The farm is owned by the Van Grouw family, and several members of the family are on the fire squad, the department said.

"You don't expect to hear your own address come over the pager," said Lane Van Grouw to CBS New York. "I saw the wall of flames from almost a half mile away. When I pulled in the driveway, I saw it was our barn."

The barn was fully-involved upon arrival, and firefighters said they were unable to save the 40 pigs and 400 chickens inside. A greenhouse and a second structure were saved.

Now, the family is facing the "monumental task" of rebuilding Hope Cress Farms and returning to their livelihood.

A GoFundMe has been established to help the family build a new barn.