Nine Hundred Pigs Killed In Dorset Farm Fire

Up to 900 pigs have died in a major fire which ripped through a piggery at a farm.

Firefighters fought a blaze for up to three hours after being called to Seaborough Manor, near Beaminster, Dorset.

A total of 50 firefighters were on the scene at the height of the fire which swept through the 330ft long piggery, destroying it.

An investigation into the cause is under way.

A spokeswoman for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze in the roof of the piggery was reported at 6.30am on Friday.

She said: "There was an asbestos roof involved in the fire with no affect to any other properties.

"Crews were at work protecting adjacent piggeries and property."

She added: "There was 100% severe damage to the piggery and sadly approximately 900 pigs lost their lives in the fire."

The blaze is the second in less than a year to hit a Dorset farm piggery and kill large numbers of livestock.

A total of 180 piglets and 18 sows died at Corton Farm in Friar Waddon, Weymouth, when fire engulfed a farming unit in May last year.

The large farrowing unit suffered severe fire damage and none of the pigs survived.