'Upwards of 18,000' cattle die in dairy-farm explosion and fire in Texas Panhandle; investigators still looking for cause

The fire was the worst for cattle in Texas history.
(Photo from Castro County sheriff)

Last week's explosion and fire at a Texas Panhandle dairy resulted in "The deadliest fire involving cows in nearly a decade," report Jayme Lozano-Carver and Erin Douglas of The Texas Tribune. "The fire started Monday night at South Fork Dairy Farm in Dimmitt, about 66 miles south of Amarillo. . . . One person was trapped inside the dairy farm but was rescued by first responders."

"The Castro County Sheriff's office reports upwards of 18,000 head of dairy cattle perished in the blaze," reports Lisa Foust Prater of Successful Farming. "That was about 90% of the farm's total herd. . . . Sheriff Sal Rivera said witnesses reported an explosion that spread into a massive fire throughout the building where the cattle are held."

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller told the Tribune, "This was the deadliest barn fire for cattle in Texas history, and the investigation and cleanup may take some time. . . .The impact of this fire may influence the immediate area and the industry itself. Once we know the cause and the facts surrounding this tragedy, we will make sure the public is fully informed — so tragedies like this can be avoided."

A honey wagon/vacuum truck (Wikipedia photo)

Rivera told Prater, "Investigators are trying to determine if it's machinery called a honey wagon that sucks out the manure and water. . . . It may have ignited possibly methane gas." Often the cause of coal mine explosions, methane explosions occur when a buildup of methane gas contacts a heat source and there is not enough air to dilute the gas level below its explosion point. . . . 65% of cow manure is methane.

Carver and Douglas report, "In 2019, Texas authorized the facility to more than double the number of cattle allowed on-site from 11,500 to up to 32,000, according to a permit with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. . . .The state also authorized the facility to increase its manure production by more than 50% in that expanded permit. . . . The 18,000 cows killed represent just a fraction of the 625,000 dairy cows in Texas. Large amounts of cattle have died in Texas before. During Winter Storm Goliath in 2015, 35,000 cattle froze to death. . . . The state fire marshal’s office is conducting the investigation."