A devastating blaze at Fine Oak Farms in London, Ohio destroyed two large agricultural buildings and killed approximately 6,000 hogs out of 7,500 housed at the facility. High winds reaching 35 mph hampered firefighting efforts, requiring multiple departments and five hours to control the flames.
LONDON, Ohio — Nearly 6,000 hogs perished in a devastating blaze that swept through an Ohio agricultural facility Wednesday, according to fire officials.
Chief Brian Bennington of the Central Townships Joint Fire District reported that massive smoke plumes from Fine Oak Farms in London could be observed from great distances. When emergency crews reached the scene, two out of five massive farm structures were already engulfed in flames, Bennington stated.
The agricultural complex was home to approximately 7,500 hogs, and multiple fire departments responded to assist with the emergency. Challenging weather conditions significantly hampered firefighting efforts, with steady winds of 20 mph and gusts up to 35 mph fueling the blaze’s rapid expansion, according to Bennington.
The rural location’s limited water access required extensive shuttle operations to supply firefighting efforts. Emergency responders needed five hours to gain control over the flames, Bennington reported.
Fortunately, no human injuries occurred during the incident. The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office has launched an investigation into what sparked the blaze, though Bennington noted that arson is not currently suspected.
The farming operation is located in Madison County, approximately 25 miles southwest of Columbus.
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