An explosion at Southfork Dairy Farm in Dimmit, Texas, on April 10 killed more than 18,000 cows and critically injured one employee.
The cows were reportedly in a holding pen before being brought into the milking barn when the incident occurred. Due to their proximity to the explosion and fire, very few cows survived, and more are expected to be euthanized due to their injuries.
Police started receiving calls on Monday after hearing the blast and seeing smoke and flames coming from the dairy. One female employee was trapped inside the milking barn, but firefighters were able to rescue her and she was airlifted to UMC Hospital in Lubbock. The Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire, but a mechanical malfunction is suspected.
"The speculation was probably what they call a honey badger, which is a vacuum that sucks the manure and water out and possibly that it got overheated and probably the methane and things like that ignited and spread out and exploded," said Castro County Sheriff Sal Rivera.
South Fork Dairy reportedly employees 60 people and has been open less than a year.
Lacey Vilhauer can be reached at 620-227-1891 or [email protected].
