Devastation has hit an Irish farm as firefighters were called on Saturday night (March 9) in Dungannon, Northern Ireland.

Reports of the fire were first made by two young men driving past who didn’t know the family.

Around 10-15 fire engines and appliances were deployed from Dungannon and five other nearby towns in a bid to tackle the fire, though by the time services arrived no one was able to enter the shed where around 1000 sows and piglets were housed.

A digger was also used to get water into the shed.

Local DUP councillor Mark Robinson said: “I went up on Saturday and the family is completely devastated.

“Even the children in the house - some of the piglets were theirs. They are absolutely devastated by it... It's a massive blow, it is their livelihood, their bread and butter.”

The Scottish Farmer: £700,000 costs to reinstate livestock and shed£700,000 costs to reinstate livestock and shed

He adds: “It creates an awful lot of problems for them as they have more sows due to give birth next week and so are now trying to find accommodation for them.”

It is estimated to cost a combined total of around £700,000 to replace the pigs and shed, with the shed priced at £500,000.

Mark continues to discuss how the farmers insurance is unlikely to cover loss of earnings or the cost of renting temporary premises.

“Plus, this is probably a second or third generation family farm with a lot of good bloodlines in their pigs. So, it will take them a long time to build this up again.”