Out of the fire... and into the frying pan! Firemen save piglets – then get to eat them as a reward
FIREFIGHTERS are used to displays of gratitude for their heroics. But a team from Wiltshire was given a rather unusual reward after they rescued a litter of piglets from a barn fire.
Grateful farmer Rachel Rivers gave the crew some organic sausages – made from the very same piglets they had saved.
The firefighters, from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, barbecued and ate the ‘fantastic’ bangers this week, six months after they saved 18 baby pigs and two grown sows from the blaze at Lawn Farm near Pewsey.
Posting pictures on social media, they said they were glad to finally sample ‘the fruits of [their] labour.’
Mrs Rivers, who insisted the piglets had been reared to be eaten, waited six months before slaughtering the animals. She said: ‘I wanted to thank the firefighters. I promised them at the time I’d bring down some sausages for them, which they were all pleased about.’
When asked if she considered the gift an unusual way of saying thanks, she said: ‘This is just what we do – we are not an animal sanctuary. We give the pigs the best opportunity and the best life they could have for six months.
‘They won’t be kept inside, they are outdoors and fed with organic food which is grown on the farm.’
Fire crews had to deal with 60 tons of burning hay when they tackled the blaze at Lawn Farm, managed by Mrs Rivers and her husband Andy, last February. Watch manager Mark Hillier said: ‘When we arrived at the scene, half of the barn was on fire, with the pigs sheltering in the corner on the other side.’
The firefighters posted a thank you message on Facebook after eating the sausages. ‘Highly recommended by Pewsey fire station’s crew. If any one of our followers is having a bank holiday BBQ this weekend then check out these sausages, they are fantastic.’
Some social media users expressed their disgust at the reward, however.
Pearl-Lucia Sayer wrote: ‘Could she not just say thanks! What’s wrong with a box of Roses?’