Electrical fault led to fire that killed 500 piglets

A DEVASTATING fire which killed more than 500 piglets as it ripped through an Easter Ross farm is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault, it was revealed yesterday.

As a massive clear-up operation got under way at Petley Farm in Portmahomack this week, owner Dennis Bridgeford yesterday spoke of his agony at removing the hundreds of carcasses from the destroyed building.

"It has been devastating," he said. "It wasn't a pretty sight and was a huge hurdle for us this week. We weren't able to get into the building for some time due to safety reasons but we have now managed to get them all out. It was an awful job."

Fire crews tackled the blaze, which broke out on Saturday night, but despite their efforts – which Mr Bridgeford praised for preventing the flames spreading to other buildings containing thousands of pigs – they were unable to save the animals trapped inside. Mr Bridgeford said he believed the fire was caused by faulty electrics.

He said: "It wasn't arson and there was no human element. We suspect it's been an electrical fault."

As well as the livestock, the fire also destroyed two buildings, while a third was left with major structural damage.