Worker Rescued From Explosion & Fire That Killed 18,000 Cows

An unprecedented explosion and fire erupted at the South Fork Dairy farm near Dimmitt, Texas on Monday evening. Flames spread quickly through the holding pens, tragically killing thousands upon thousands of cattle. The pens were destroyed, and the nearby buildings suffered serious damage.

While the exact number is yet to be determined, initial reports say that approximately 18,000 cows perished in the blaze, accounting for around 90% of the farm’s cattle.

The Castro County Sheriff's Office and multiple fire departments responded to the scene. A dairy farm worker was rescued from inside the burning structures and immediately transported to nearby medical facilities in Lubbock, in critical condition from her burn injuries.

The Animal Welfare Institute began tracking barn and farm fires in 2013; this is the biggest single-incident death of cattle since. According to reports, the fire and explosion was likely caused by an equipment malfunction. The dairy farm had only been in operation for less than a year.

Our burn injury lawyers are following this ongoing investigation closely, and our hearts go out to the recovering worker as well as those responsible for the cows’ care.