(Everly)– A hog confinement west of Milford was heavily damaged by fire late Monday, and a number of hogs perished in the blaze, while others had to be put down.
The fire was battled by five area departments. Smoke could be seen from as far away as Spirit Lake.
Milford Fire Chief Jim Carpenter says his department was called to the scene south of nine mile corner, or the intersection of county roads A-34 and M-27, around 4:30 p.m. Carpenter says two buildings on the north end of the property were on fire when firefighters arrived. The two were connected to a third structure.
Fire departments from Everly, Lake Park, Fostoria and May City were then called for mutual aid. Water had to be hauled from some nearby gravel pits.
Carpenter says they managed to contain the blaze to the two buildings, which were pretty much destroyed. He says heavy equipment was used to pull down what was left of them to put out hot spots.
Carpenter says an unknown number of hogs were either killed or had to be put down.
Milford firefighters were on the scene until nearly 11:30 p.m. Monday. The Everly department remained on the scene after that keeping an eye out for hot spots.
There was no immediate word on a possible cause.
Firefighters were assisted by the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office, Alliant Energy and Diamond Concrete.
