More than 40 cattle have been killed in a barn fire northwest of Drayton.

The fire also sent the owner of the farm property to hospital, to be treated for smoke inhalation.

Fire crews from several communities were called to the farm on Concession 12, north of Moorefield and south of Teviotdale, around 11:30 a.m. Monday.

When they arrived, they found a full-involved fire affecting not only the barn, but also a repair shop on the property.

Concession 12 fire
A barn fire on Concession 12 in Mapleton Township killed approximately 50 cattle, police say. (Wellington County OPP)

Mapleton Township fire chief Rick Richardson told CTV Kitchener that there were believed to be 52 cattle in the barn, 10 of which had been saved.

“The family is devastated – they lost all their dairy cows and their livelihood here,” he said.

Firefighters were expected to remain at the scene dealing with hotspots into the evening hours.