50 piglets died, but 150 saved in farm blaze in Tomsk region. Picture: Emergency Ministry in Tomsk region

The inferno was at private farm in Chernaya Rechka village, near Tomsk city.

The young pigs are being bred for slaughter, but there were smiles as the firefighters carried most of them to safety.

The young pigs are being bred for slaughter, but there were smiles as the firefighters carried most of them to safety. Pictures: Emergency Ministry in Tomsk region

The cause of the fire is not yet known. It covered an area of 700 square metres.

The emergency services were called to the scene at noon.

'At 4.30 pm the fire was extinguished,' said a spokesman. There were 26 people and 7 units of equipment involved.'