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A massive fire at a farm near Tillsonburg killed thousands of pigs and left an estimated $10 million worth of damage in its wake.

The barn fire began early Saturday, police and firefighters say. Crews were called to the scene at 5 a.m.

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Hawkins Road, west of Tillsonburg, was closed between Dereham and Culloden lines all morning.

“We’re still involved in trying to contain the fire,” South-West Oxford fire chief Jeff VanRybroeck said midday, adding it was too early to know what caused the flames.

“We have the fire under control, but we’re still working on hotspots and embers. We have excavators on scene now that are helping us to remove the roof off portions so we can get at the fire better.”

Photo by (Kathleen Saylors/Woodstock Sentinel-Review)

The property owners pegged damage at $8 million to $10 million between property and content, including their livestock, VanRybroeck said. Fire crews have been told there are 6,000 pigs involved.

Hawkins Road re-opened Saturday afternoon.

Three fire departments battled the blaze, including South-West Oxford and crews from Tillsonburg and Bayham.

In a social media post, drivers were also asked to avoid Clearview Drive and Pressey Road where water tankers are being filled.

mstacey@postmedia.com

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