Fire: Fire in Coswig – 20,000 pigs die, millions in damage

It is estimated that around 20,000 pigs died in a fire in a pig fattening facility in Coswig (Wittenberg district). Five firefighters were slightly injured while extinguishing the fire police announced. A police spokesman estimated damage of around nine million euros. The fire department extinguished the fire. The Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk had previously reported on the fire.

Wind makes firefighting difficult

According to the police, the fire broke out on Wednesday night inside the pig farm in the Düben district of Coswig and spread to the stables. Due to strong winds, the fire spread quickly during the extinguishing work, so that two pig stables completely caught fire. During the extinguishing work, the gates to the stables were opened, which resulted in a few cases Animals escaped. Some animals were saved this way.

Flying ash also led to smaller fires in an adjacent field, which were extinguished by emergency services. According to information, around 100 firefighters from several locations were involved in the extinguishing work.

Not the first fire in a fattening facility

There have been several fires in pig fattening facilities in Saxony-Anhalt. Thousands of animals have also died in recent years.

The animal protection organization Peta has meanwhile announced that it will file a criminal complaint against those responsible. According to the organization, 25 barn fires in which animals died have been made public nationwide since the beginning of this year. PETA is calling for stricter fire safety regulations in animal husbandry operations and points to possible violations of animal welfare regulations.

© dpa-infocom, dpa:260715-930-386642/5