Authorities said a “horrific” explosion and fire at a dairy farm in the southern US state of Texas killed about 18,000 head of cattle and injured one agricultural worker on Thursday. The blast and fire ripped through the Southfork Dairy Farms near the town of Dimmitt in the Texas Panhandle on Monday night.
The incident is the deadliest barn fire for cattle in Texas history, according to the Animal Welfare Institute, an animal advocacy group that tracks these types of incidents. The group also tracks fires that kill other livestock, including poultry and pigs.
It’s not unusual for a single explosion or fire to cause the death of thousands of animals, but it has rarely happened at such a large scale as this. The explosion and fire, which occurred Thursday evening, reportedly killed an estimated 18,000 cows at the Southfork dairy farm, located in Castro County, one of the largest milk-producing counties in the state.
In a statement, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said: “This was the deadliest barn fire for cattle in Texas.” The investigation and cleanup may take some time,” he added.
While it’s unclear what caused the explosion and fire, experts have suggested that several factors could have contributed to its cause. These include a large stash of improperly stored nitrate-based fertilizer, which can cause an explosion, and the insulation in some buildings where the cattle were being held.
A significant energy source for an explosion is methane gas, which can ignite and spread rapidly. It can also cause the release of toxic gases into the air, including hydrogen sulfide.
Methane-based gases are a leading concern for the state’s agriculture industry, as it accounts for a significant proportion of the air pollution in Texas. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and its release can cause severe damage to crops.
It is also a powerful depressant, causing a rapid decrease in the body’s temperature. The resulting loss of appetite and weight can lead to serious illness, resulting in animal fatalities.
The state’s agriculture sector is vital to the economy, contributing to jobs and generating billions of dollars in revenue each year. In addition, the industry employs many people, so the explosion and fire have an enormous impact on the local community.
Residents say the fire is mind-boggling and a real tragedy for the community, which depends heavily on milk and dairy products. It’s believed that the dairy farm is one of the largest in Castro County, and its loss will devastate many.
It’s a devastating blow to all those in the region and will be hard to recover from, officials say. They are urging the public to help them as they deal with the aftermath of the disaster.
The blast and fire, which reportedly happened on Monday evening, reportedly killed an estimated 18,000 head of cattle at the Southfork dairy farm, located at Dimmitt, in Castro County, one of the largest milk production counties in the state. The explosion and fire, which occurred Monday, reportedly killed an estimated 18,000 cows and one agricultural worker, who was critically injured.
