Hog barn fire in SW Minnesota kills two women

A hog barn fire near Jasper, Minn., killed two women Monday, according to the Rock County Sheriff's Office.

Firefighters from around the area responded shortly after 9 a.m. to find the barn fully engulfed, Sheriff Evan Verbrugge said.

Law enforcement learned that some employees and contractors were pressure washing the barn at the time of the fire.

"En route we were advised that there was at least one employee that was not accounted for and possibly still inside the building," Verbrugge said. "And upon arrival we were advised that there were more than likely two individuals inside the building yet."

Officials identified the women as Sharla Drew, 50, and Kristy Giesler, 32, both of Jasper.

New Horizon Farms owns the farm that has four barns on site. The one where the fire started is a complete loss. No hogs were inside the barn at the time.

Verbrugge said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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