Explosion kills 18 cows in the United States.
It is suspected that the fire started due to the ignition of methane gas present at the site. This substance is released in the flatulence and belching of cattle.
Deutsche Wave - An explosion followed by a fire on Monday night (April 10th) at South Fork Dairy in Texas, United States, killed approximately 18,000 cows and injured a farm worker.
In a statement, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said the causes of the incident are still unknown and called the episode a "horrific event." "This was the deadliest barn fire in Texas history, and the cleanup and investigation will take some time," he stated.
Castro County Sheriff Sal Rivera said the incident may have been triggered by overheating of a manure removal system, which ignited methane gas present at the site. However, he stressed that the case is still under investigation. "As soon as we know the causes and factors that led to this tragedy, the public will be fully informed. So that tragedies like this can be avoided in the future," he emphasized.
Methane, one of the main gases causing the greenhouse effect, is released in the burps and farts of cattle and is a result of their digestive process.
Read the full text at Deutsche Welle.