190 pigs die in piggery blaze

Up to 190 pigs were burned to death when fire engulfed a New Plymouth piggery las night.

Firefighters were called to the blaze at 5.50pm after the owner discovered the building on fire.

Taranaki fire safety officer Matt Crabtree said the piggery had been "well involved" by the time the five appliances arrived and nothing could be done to save the building or the pigs.

"Between 180 and 190 head of stock perished," Mr Crabtree said.

"Apparently one piglet escaped from the fire but I don't know what happened to that."

It was too early to say what caused the fire in the 25m by 15m building.

"I've had a brief look at the fire scene and will be continuing the investigation tomorrow morning."

The fire was in a semi-rural area at Corbett Rd and no other buildings were threatened.

- NZPA