Geary County commissioners expressed appreciation this week to the volunteer firefighters who helped battle the rural barn fire last Saturday night that resulted in the death of 518 feeder pigs.

Commission Chairman Ben Bennett commended the volunteers. “Twenty firefighters showed up and they had five more waiting up at Milford that were going to come in if they were needed. The main thing was just to contain the fire at that point and not have it spread to other buildings and other parts of the facilities.”

The fire on property owned by Phillip Goodyear caused an estimated $230,000 damage including $200,000 to the building while the feeder pigs were valued at $30,000. There was some insurance coverage on the barn. The pigs were being housed at that location for F & R Swine of rural Dwight.

Riley County, Fort Riley and Grandview Plaza Fire Departments also provided assistance.

Authorities reported that the cause of the blaze was undetermined, but likely caused by an electrical malfunction.