Firefighters rescue pigs from burning barn at Wychwoods farm

The fire at Manor Farm in Milton-under-Wychwood engulfed a barn full of sows and their litters, and had begun to spread to two other buildings when the fire crew arrived shortly after 12.30pm.

The firemen were met with a severe fire and large volumes of smoke, a spokesman said.

The crews helped farm workers to evacuate pigs from the barn before putting out the fire, preventing it from spreading to other pig barns and a grain silo.

Three sows were killed.

It is believed the fire was caused by heating or lighting equipment, the fire service spokesman said.