The Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office ruled the explosion at the Southfork Dairy Farm in Dimmitt, TX, was accidental, according to local news outlet KAMR. On April 10, emergency personnel received reports of an explosion at the dairy, which spread to a building housing cattle. The explosion caused the death of more than 17,000 dairy cattle. According to the Castro County Sheriff’s Office, one person was trapped inside the facility and was airlifted to a Lubbock hospital, where they are now reported to be in serious condition.
The fire investigation revealed the fire started at the northern end of the dairy in a pen and resulted from a piece of equipment used daily at the operation. Officials said the explosion was a result of flammable liquids, including liquid fuel, hydraulic oil and other flammable and combustible materials, expanding rapidly, or what is known as a smoke explosion.
Officials said due to the size of the fire, the number of cattle killed and two other pieces of equipment that caught fire, including one at the same dairy, “There will be a more in-depth investigation of the reason for the failure by other origin and cause investigators and engineers that are experts in the field of equipment failures.”
KAMR reported Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) officials were onsite at the dairy “to provide assistance to South Fork Dairy to ensure that dead livestock and any other debris is disposed of in accordance with TCEQ rules and regulations.” — Charles Wallace, WLJ editor
