20,000 hogs die in barn fire south of London, Ontario

Norfolk County firefighters say about 20,000 hogs died after a large barn fire broke out Tuesday morning on Highway 3, just outside Simcoe, Ontario. The Norfolk County Fire Department said crews from three stations first responded around 6:45 a.m. When they arrived, they found the barn fully engulfed. The building was estimated at about 200,000 square feet. At the height of the response, eight stations, 40 firefighters and 15 apparatuses were on scene. No injuries were reported among farm workers or firefighters. Officials said the fire is not being treated as suspicious, and residents nearby were asked to stay indoors because of smoke and reduced air quality. Highway 3 was closed between Charlotteville East Quarter Line and Windham East Quarter Line Road.