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Heat lamp blamed for fire that killed thousands of hogs at confinement in Iowa

Authorities say about 5,000 pigs died in a fire at a northwest Iowa hog confinement operation.
Hawarden hog confinement fire photo from Sioux County Sheriff website (2)
Hawarden hog confinement fire photo from Sioux County Sheriff website (2)

HAWARDEN, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say about 5,000 pigs died in a fire at a northwest Iowa hog confinement operation.

The Sioux County Sheriff’s Department reports two buildings housing the hogs caught fire Saturday morning, May 28, 2016, near Hawarden.

The sheriff’s office says the fire apparently began when a pig dislodged a heat lamp, which fell into straw bedding.

When Hawarden firefighters arrived, one building was engulfed in flames and the fire had spread to an adjacent building. Both structures were destroyed.

No employees were injured, but the estimated 5,000 pigs died.

Hawarden hog confinement fire photo from Sioux County Sheriff website

 

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