Smoke from the Highway 3 fire prompted an air quality warning
A massive barn fire just west of Simcoe has claimed the lives of an estimated 20,000 hogs. Norfolk County Fire Department crews were called to a property on Highway 3 around 6:45 Tuesday morning after reports of a structure fire. Firefighters arrived to find a fully engulfed a commercial livestock barn hog barn, measuring roughly 200,000 square feet.
The response quickly expanded, with crews from eight stations, about 40 firefighters and 15 fire vehicles battling the blaze in hot, humid conditions. No injuries have been reported, and residents are asked to avoid the area while crews remain on scene.
Due to active fire conditions, the investigation into the cause has not yet begun, but is not being treated as suspicious.
Grand Erie Public Health has warned the public of poor air quality, and Norfolk County Ontario Provincial Police urged residents to steer clear of the area and be aware of emergency service vehicles present.
At the time of this posting, police reported Highway 3 is still closed between Charlotteville East Quarter Line and Windham East Quarter Line Road.
