Police investigate after thousands of pigs perish in ‘intense’ farm blaze

Police are investigating the cause of a fire that killed thousands of pigs at a farm in the North.

Carcasses of the sows and piglets were being removed from the premises near Bessbrook, Co Armagh, in a major clean-up operation throughout yesterday.

While the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said the fire, which broke out early on Saturday morning, may have been deliberate, police have not yet determined if the incident was suspicious.

The NIFRS estimated 800 sows and 3,500 piglets perished in an “intense” blaze.

However, it is understood the owner of the property believes the death toll could be lower than 4,300.

A significant number of pigs survived the fire, having been evacuated from thebuilding as the flames took hold in the early hours

The NIFRS said three sheds were destroyed.

The expansive premises is situated at Derrywilligan Rd, around 3km from the village of Bessbrook — a rural area close to the border.

A steady flow of trucks drove in and out of the farm yesterday, ferrying away thecarcasses for disposal.

Firefighters were called to the site at about 5.40am on Saturday, and it tookcrews seven hours to bring the situation under control.

Stormont Assembly member Danny Kennedy, who lives a short distance from the farm, said he was shocked. “This is a very distressing incident,” he said.

“Not only for the loss of this number of animals, but also the impact on thislocal business.”

A PSNI spokesman said: “At this stage, the cause of the fire is still under investigation and inquiries arecontinuing.”