Smoke continues to rise from what is now a pile of rubble at Pennwood Dairy northeast of Steinbach.

Fire broke out early Monday morning at the farm along Clear Springs Road, several kilometres east of Highway 12. Hours later, four large barns lay flat on the ground, destroyed.

Steinbach Deputy Fire Chief Ron Chausse says it is a huge loss.

"This is a significant fire," says Chausse. "We are just in the process here of getting some logistics dealt with. Everything is under control at this time."

Steinbach Fire called in the La Broquerie and Ste. Anne Fire departments to assist in the battle along with water tanker crews from Blumenort, New Bothwell and Giroux.

Chausse notes the farmer was able to get some cattle out of the barns, but not all.

"But at this time we don't have the numbers," he says. "No origin at this time."

Massive plumes of black smoke rose into the air, stretching to the Red River Valley.

This is a developing story and we will provide more details as we receive them.