CORNWALL — More than 200 pigs have died in a barn fire at a Connecticut farm, but eight Belgian draft horses survived.
The Republican-American reports that the fire at Maple Hill Farm in Cornwall broke out around 2:18 a.m. Tuesday, and was under control by 8:30 a.m. The fire remains under investigation, but authorities say it appears to be electrical in nature. It was fueled by 300 hay bales in a second-floor loft.
The fire claimed the lives of 191 piglets and 18 sows.
Farm owners Richard and Gail Dolan say some of the sows were in crates with their litters. After the Dolans freed the horses, they were beaten back by smoke and flames trying to get to the pigs.
Fire Marshal Stanley MacMillan said the animals likely died of smoke inhalation.
The barn was a total loss.
Seven fire departments, including Norfolk, North Canaan, Falls Village, Sharon, Kent, Warren and Goshen responded.
