Thousands of cattle killed in explosion and fire at Texas dairy farm
By Andy Rose, CNN
An explosion and fire at a dairy farm this week near Dimmitt, Texas, killed thousands of cattle and injured one person, according to Castro County authorities.
About 19,000 cattle had been at the South Fork Dairy when Monday’s explosion happened, Castro County Sheriff Salvador Rivera told CNN in an email.
“The number of cattle killed in the explosion and fire are still estimated,” he said.
The Castro County Sheriff’s Office responded to an explosion and fire at South Fork Dairy, which is about 11 miles southeast of Dimmitt, the office said in a Facebook post Tuesday.
“Upon arrival it was determined that one person was trapped inside and fire crews were able to locate the person and remove them from the building. The person was flown to the UMC Hospital in Lubbock. All employees were accounted for,” the sheriff’s office said.
The injured person still was in an intensive care unit at the hospital, Rivera said.
The cause of the explosion was under investigation.
“This is a devastating loss that will impact many,” Castro County Judge Mandy Gfeller told CNN in an emailed statement.
“I am so thankful for our first responders as well as the neighboring counties that sent aid to Castro County,” the statement reads. “I commend their swift response and quick thinking to help save lives. While the loss of so many animals and property is devastating I am so thankful that there was no loss of human life. I am praying for restoration for South Fork Dairy.”
The-CNN-Wire
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