Hog count still unknown after $30M Simcoe barn fire

Norfolk County fire say it is still unclear how many hogs died after a massive fire tore through a barn complex on Highway 3 near Simcoe on Tuesday morning.

Officials say the total damage is around $30 million, which accounts for the structure, livestock and property loss, although the cause of the fire still remains undetermined.

On Tuesday around 6:30 a.m., crews responded to reports of a blaze.

Witnesses said the fire started on one side of the building and then was blown across the barn.

Fire Chief Gord Stilwell said no people were hurt in the fire. However, the barn was a large building divided into different areas for pigs.

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“The information we have is the barn has the capacity for 20,000 pigs at different stages. At this time we don’t know the exact numbers. We know that there was livestock in the building. We’re not 100 per cent sure on the exact amount. It definitely would be a considerable loss,” Stilwell says.

The blaze was difficult for crews to put out due to the extreme heat. Trucks had to bring in their own water in this rural area.

The scene was turned back over to the property owner on Tuesday.

Police had a stretch of Highway 3 closed to keep the road clear for fire trucks.

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