An explosion at a Texas dairy farm near the town of Dimmitt has killed an estimated 18,000 cows and left one person in critical condition. The cause of the explosion is believed to be machinery igniting methane gas, according to local authorities. The blaze spread quickly to an area where cows were held before being taken to a milking area and then a holding pen.

While some cows survived, many were injured and had to be destroyed. This tragic incident highlights the need for common-sense fire safety measures on farms, as nearly 6.5 million farm animals have been killed in barn fires since 2013. Between 2018 and 2021 alone, nearly three million farm animals have died in fires, with chickens being the most commonly affected.