A number of pigs were burnt to death as a big fire swept through a pig farm in the outskirt district of Hoc Mon in Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday early morning.

Le Thi Ly, the farm’s owner, told Tuoi Tre an employee found a fire breaking out at a warehouse containing iron scraps near the pig farm and informed her at about 6am.

Neighbors tried to help subdue the fire. They said 6 water pumps were in use at the scene but failed to put it out.

Eyewitnesses said the 1,000m2 farm was covered in flames and dark smoke rose up to 30 meters into the air.

Pigs were in panic as the flames roared and ran as fast as they could from the fire, an eyewitness said.

As of 7am this morning, two fire trucks and dozens of firefighters arrived at the scene but the fire had been under control before.

Dozens of pigs were found dead at the scene while many others suffered severe burns. Ly’s house near the farm was also burnt to the ground.

There were about 70 pigs in the farm at the time of the fire. According to Ly, as many as 20 pigs were burnt to death.

The total damage caused by the fire has initially been estimated at hundreds of millions of Vietnamese dong.

A pig suffers burns after the fire. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Ly's house burnt to the ground during the fire. Photo : Tuoi Tre

A pig burnt to death. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The warehouse containing iron scraps near the pig farm. Photo: Tuoi Tre