Up to 2,000 pigs burn to death in 'devastating' fire at farm
Up to 2,000 pigs have died in a fire on a farm in Northern Ireland. The ‘devastating’ blaze broke out just before 9pm yesterday, with firefighters working to stop the flames spreading to other sheds with more animals in.
One fire worker suffered minor burns to his feet and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Four fire appliances attended the scene at Glenmarshal Pedigree Pigs in Carrigenagh Road, Kilkeel, County Down.
Between 1,500 and 2,000 pigs are believed to have been killed.
The fire, which is believed to have been accidental, was brought under control at around 11.50pm.
Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service Assistant Group Commander Martin Healy said the fire was well developed when he and colleagues arrived on the scene.
‘The firefighters worked in obviously very difficult conditions – in darkness and underfoot – to extinguish the fire,’ he said.
‘Actually we had to try to protect the other sheds as there’s a lot of other pigs housed in them and thankfully we were able to stop the fire spreading to those sheds.
‘But unfortunately we were unable to save between 1,500 and 2,000 pigs within the shed the main blaze was contained in.’
He told BBC Radio Ulster the incident was a ‘very difficult scene to witness’.
‘We spoke with the farm owner and obviously our sympathies go out to him and all his staff on the devastating loss and he said himself he was devastated for the loss that he did suffer.’
Four fire appliances attended the scene at Glenmarshal Pedigree Pigs in Carrigenagh Road, Kilkeel, County Down.
Between 1,500 and 2,000 pigs are believed to have been killed.
The fire, which is believed to have been accidental, was brought under control at around 11.50pm.
Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service Assistant Group Commander Martin Healy said the fire was well developed when he and colleagues arrived on the scene.
‘The firefighters worked in obviously very difficult conditions – in darkness and underfoot – to extinguish the fire,’ he said.
‘Actually we had to try to protect the other sheds as there’s a lot of other pigs housed in them and thankfully we were able to stop the fire spreading to those sheds.
‘But unfortunately we were unable to save between 1,500 and 2,000 pigs within the shed the main blaze was contained in.’
He told BBC Radio Ulster the incident was a ‘very difficult scene to witness’.
‘We spoke with the farm owner and obviously our sympathies go out to him and all his staff on the devastating loss and he said himself he was devastated for the loss that he did suffer.’