A NUMBER of animals have died in a large barn fire in North Yorkshire.

The fire took hold in a pig barn in Normanby near Kirby Misperton in Ryedale at about 12.30pm on Saturday afternoon and completely destroyed the building.

At least six fire units from around the county attended, with crews from Kirkbymoorside, Pickering, Helmsley and Malton at the scene, along with a water bowser from Boroughbridge and a welfare unit from Thirsk.

Firefighters managed to save a number of piglets and sows from the building, but other animals could not be saved.

A spokesperson for the fire service said: “The building was totally destroyed by the fire and unfortunately some animals have perished in the blaze.

“Crews have used main jets, breathing apparatus, hose reels and portable pumps to extinguish the fire.

"A number of sows and piglets have been rescued.”

The cause of the fire is believed to be an electrical fault and fire crews were due to revisit the site this morning.