WASECA, Minn.— An estimated 12,000 hogs died in a fire that was raging through two giant barns even before firefighters arrived from four miles away in Waseca. The fire was reported about 10:30 p.m. at Woodville Farms. Crews from nine fire departments with 20 tankers saved a third nearby building using a fire break. Fire Chief Jason Forshee said that crews probably would remain until mid-afternoon. There will be hot spots for ai couple days, he said. The well-known conservationist Paul Zimmerman, who owns the hog farm, said 3,000 sows and 9,000 piglets were lost. The cause of the fire was not immediately determined.
