Barn fire kills 250 pigs near Exeter

Around 250 pigs and piglets have been killed in a barn fire near Exeter.

Devon and Somerset Fire Service said the flames engulfed the 27 sows and their young while they were in a barn at Kenniford Farm, in Clyst St Mary in the early hours on Monday (27 February).

Three fire crews and an extra water bowser were sent to tackle the flames, but the building and all its contents were gutted.

A fire service spokesman confirmed: “The fire involved one single-storey barn 20m by 15m (66ft by 49ft), containing 250 sows and piglets. The barn and contents were destroyed by fire.”

A fire investigation is being carried out into the cause of the blaze at the farm, belonging to Andrew Freemantle, a Farmers Weekly Livestock columnist.

Kenniford Farm has 300 free-range sows and had been rearing the animals for more than 17 years to make into pork products, including bacon and sausages.

Last year, it won two gold awards for its hickory smoked sausages and smoked back bacon at the Taste Of The West regional food awards.