Cow farts blow roof off barn (almost)

Gas from a herd of 90 dairy cows caused an explosion in Germany, injuring one of the animals.

A herd of dairy cows nearly lifted the roof off their barn in central Germany yesterday when methane released by the animals caused an explosion.

A static electric charge apparently triggered the detonation, and a spurt of flame, at a farm in Rasdorf, police in Hesse state said.

No, we are not making this up - here's how it appeared in the German papers:

@AsliSevindim lol Ein Grund für gute Laune am Morgen! :-D pic.twitter.com/380g9aVISS

— Torsten Kohl (@salam_khubi) January 28, 2014

The roof was slightly damaged and one cow suffered light burns. No-one was hurt.

Some 90 cows were kept in the shed and it was not clear why quantities of methane had built up, police added.

Stop laughing at the back, this is serious.