(Bricelyn) A large fire at a hog operation near Bricelyn Saturday afternoon destroyed a farrowing barn and killed 624 pigs. The Faribault County Sheriff’s Office says the fire was reported around 1:45 p.m. at a hog operation on 110th Street. The Frost Fire Chief spotted the fire while driving by. No workers were at the site when the fire started. More than a dozen fire departments from southern Minnesota and northern Iowa responded as crews battled the intense fire and worked to supply the large amount of water needed. Firefighters were able to contain the blaze to the south farrowing barn, preventing it from spreading to another farrowing barn and three nearby structures. One hog site worker suffered smoke inhalation while entering the north barn during firefighting operations. The worker was treated at the scene by Frost Area Ambulance and declined further medical transport. Crews also brought in excavating equipment to help dismantle portions of the burning structure and improve access for firefighters. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Frost Fire Department, the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
