Advertisement

Hogs killed in massive barn fire at southern Alberta Hutterite colony

Click to play video: 'Thousands of pigs are believed to have died in a barn fire in southern Alberta.'
Thousands of pigs are believed to have died in a barn fire in southern Alberta.
Lethbridge 911 received a call late Thursday night about a fully involved fire at a hog farm at the White Lake Hutterite Colony.

Thousands of pigs are believed to have died in a barn fire overnight at a Hutterite colony in southern Alberta.

Nobleford & District Emergency Services received a 911 call around 10:30 p.m. Thursday about a fully involved fire at a hog farm northwest of the community in Lethbridge County.

Nobleford fire chief Ryan Wagner said when the volunteer fire department crew arrived on scene at the White Lake Colony and saw what they were dealing with, they called in support from Coalhurst, Coaldale and Picture Butte.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Coaldale fire said it provided a few trucks to help with the fire, and Picture Butte Emergency Services said it also sent two units help with the fire.

A fire destroyed the hog barn and killed thousands of pigs inside it at the White Lake Colony in southern Alberta on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2024. Supplied to Global News

Crews were on scene for about five hours battling the blaze, Wagner said.

Story continues below advertisement

The fire chief would not confirm the total number of livestock lost in the fire, but a witness who lives in the area told Global News they believe at least 5,000 pigs perished.

No people were injured in the blaze north of Lethbridge and the cause remains under investigation.

— More to come…

Sponsored content

AdChoices