Thousands of pigs die in farm fire

Farm owner ‘devastated’ by fire, believed to be accidental

Firefighters were called to a shed fire at a farm on Carrigenagh Road, Kilkeel, where it is believed up to 2,000 pigs died in the blaze (Google Maps)

Around 2,000 pigs have died in shed fire on a farm in Kilkeel, Northern Ireland.

Firefighters responded to calls of a fire involving a large farm shed on Carrigenagh Road in the coastal town of Kilkeel just before 9pm on Monday.

Four fire tricks attended the scene, as well as the Animal Rescue Team, a Command Support Unit and a Water Tanker, said the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.

A spokesperson from the rescue service said in a statement: “Firefighters worked in difficult conditions to prevent the fire spreading to adjacent buildings, however, it is believed that approximately 1,500 - 2,000 pigs have perished as a result of the blaze.”

A man, who was one of the farm workers, suffered minor burns to his feet during the incident and was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital. No other injuries have been reported.

It took emergency responders about three hours to get the blaze under control. The fire was believed to have been started by accident.

Assistant Group Commander Martin Healy told the BBC it was “a very difficult scene to witness”, and he was thankful firefighters were able to stop the fire from spreading to more sheds.

He expressed his sympathies for the owner of the farm, who was “devastated” by the blaze.