More than 3,500 hogs died in a barn fire May 20 at Bacon Acres Ltd., owned by Dave and Judy Allan of Bentley, Alta.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation but was likely ignited by sparks from a welder doing some work in the barn, said Allan.
The fire started at about 8 a.m. in a farrowing barn and everything was lost, including growers, weaners and sows, said Allan. Damages in lost livestock and buildings are estimated between $1.25 million and $1.5 million.
“It burned to the ground,” Allan said, and they were unable to get the hogs out. Fire crews from Bentley, Lacombe and Eckville were on the scene all day to fight the fire and keep it from reigniting or spreading to other units.
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The fire engulfed part of an addition built this year and another section built in the mid 1980s.
The family’s home is located on another piece of property and escaped the fire.
Allan plans to rebuild the barn and estimates it will take four to six months to complete.
Bacon Acres was embroiled in controversy last year when approval for a building expansion was appealed by local residents. The development permit was eventually upheld.
Allan is not sure if the farm has to reapply for building permits.
The farm has a 24,000 head capacity and produces about 45,000 hogs per year, most of which are shipped to the United States.
Bacon Acres has about 19,000 hogs remaining on the farm.
