Firefighters from five counties battled a large fire at a hog farm in southeast Fayette County, Tuesday afternoon. The fire totally destroyed the facility and killed approximately 5,000 head of swine.
The 1:08pm fire was reported at the Straathoff Swine Farm located at 7111 Old Route #35SE in Wayne Township located in southeast Fayette County. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. The fire spread quickly throughout the facility causing intense heat and extremely heavy smoke, making it difficult for fire personnel to battle the interior of the fire.
Members of the Wayne Township Fire Department were initially dispatched to the scene. As additional information was received that it was a working structure fire, firefighters and resources were requested from Washington Fire Department, Concord-Greene Fire Department, Bloomingburg-Paint-Marion Fire Department, Jefferson Township Fire Department, and Pic-A-Fay Fire Department in Fayette County. As the fire intensified, additional fire agencies and resources from Ross, Highland, Pickaway, and Greene counties were requested to respond and assist with battling the fire and providing tankers for water. The Fayette County Emergency Management Agency and Fayette County EMS also responded to the scene.
One member of the fire service sustained an arm injury at the scene and was transported to the Fayette County Memorial Hospital where he was treated and released.
Hydrants for additional water have been established on S.R. #753 in the area of Walmart Distribution Center in Fayette County and at Old Route #35SE & Austin Road in Ross County.
Agents from the State Fire Marshal’s Office are responding to the scene to conduct an investigation.