Tragic news.
Up to 2,000 pigs have died in a fire on a farm in Down.
The fire broke out at the site on the Carrigenagh Road shortly before 9pm on Monday (7 September).
Four fire appliances attended the scene in Carrigenagh, where they worked to prevent the flames spreading from a shed housing the pigs to the adjacent farm buildings.
Between 1,500 and 2,000 pigs are believed to have been killed.
One fire worker suffered minor burns to his feet while trying to stop the spread of the fire. He has since been taken to hospital for treatment.
The fire, which is believed to have been accidental, was brought under control at around 11.50pm.
According to BBC, owner Trevor Shields said fire fighters did a “tremendous job” in stopping the fire from spreading.
He said: “In layman’s terms it’s the maternity ward and there were 140 sows in there with baby piglets, up to about three weeks old.
“Total number somewhere around 2,000 and they are just gone, which is very sad.
“It is very emotional, it’s actually difficult for me to even talk about it.”
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