Investigators continue to sift through the debris after a barn fire killed thousands of pigs in Albany, PEI, Wednesday night.
The call was received at the Borden-Carleton Fire Department by D & E Pork around 5:45 p.m. About 50 firefighters from four fire departments responded.
“Even when I got to the firehouse, I could see the flames,” said Borden-Carleton Fire Chief Shawn Jessum. “When we arrived on scene, part of the building was fully engulfed in fire.”
Firefighters told CBC News that two of the buildings at the back of the farm were destroyed – none of the animals inside could be saved.
A third building was also damaged.
“When we arrived on scene, part of the building was fully involved in the fire,” said Borden-Carleton Fire Chief Sean Jessum. (Shane Hennessy/CBC News)
“They failed to take them [out]. It spread too quickly in that part of the building,” he said. “It was a matter of minutes and that barn was completely engulfed.”
No one was injured, according to RCMP.
“A Great Tragedy”
The chairman of the PEI Hog Marketing Board said there is an active population of hog producers on the Island and D & E Pork is one of the largest.
The farm has several barns and buildings along Murray Road.
“He has been an integral part of the PEI industry for a long time,” said Board of Directors Chairman Scott Dingwell. “This is a huge tragedy for everyone.
“We like to respect the family’s wishes and give them the time they need,” says MLA Jamie Foxx, a close friend of Dale Murray, who runs D & E Pork. (Shane Hennessy/CBC News)
“This is one time you know we like to respect the family’s wishes and give them the time they need,” said MLA Jamie Foxx, a close friend of Dale Murray, who runs D & E Pork.
Fox said he was with the pig farmer when they learned Murray’s barns were on fire with thousands of hogs inside.
“That’s a tough one,” Fox said.
“Farming is hard, isn’t it. Industry is tough in today’s climate and that’s the part of the world we live in and we have to be ready to help our neighbours.’
“Just the Island Way”
As news of the fire spread, Fox and Dingwell said people reached out to the family to offer support.
“It’s just the way of the Island and as an MLA it’s hard to see devastation in your area and you want to be there for them,” Fox said.
“It’s just who we are and that’s what makes PEI so special.”
The PEI Hog Marketing Board has also formed an emergency response committee to help.
Dingwell said the board’s thoughts were with the family “because of the stress and grief this type of tragedy brings.”
The fire marshal is investigating
Firefighters were on the scene until 3am, then called to the fire at 4.30am
The owners of the family business told CBC News they were not ready to talk yet and asked for privacy.
RCMP Const. Gavin Moore says it could be some time before the investigation is complete. (Shane Hennessy/CBC News)
There is still no information on how the fire started. The provincial fire marshal is investigating.
“I think at this stage, given the extent of the damage, it may be some time before any decisions can be made,” said RCMP Const. Gavin Moore.
“So far there are no signs of anything suspicious.
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