(La Porte County, IN) - Some baby hogs perished in a barn fire early Tuesday near Rolling Prairie.

 

Firefighters from multiple agencies were called just before 5 a.m. to the 5700 block of East 700 North. Morgan Hayes told investigators she woke up and was looking at the barn when she heard a loud pop. Hayes, 31, also reported seeing a spark and light inside the metal pole-type structure, according to police.

 

She then contacted family members and 911 for assistance.

 

Kankakee Township Fire Chief Chip Winters said the barn was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived.

 

“It was a complete loss,” he said.

 

There was no damage to a home about 150 feet away from the barn, but five baby hogs being raised for 4-H to show during the La Porte County Fair died in the blaze, Winters said.

 

He said the fire may have been caused by a heat lamp keeping the baby hogs warm falling into the saw dust bedding of a hog pen, but that's not known for  certain.

 

A four wheeler, several tools, a golf cart and scaffolding were also inside the barn, per the authorities.