Woolshed blaze kills 600 sheep

A large fire has killed 600 sheep after firefighters were only able to free a small number of animals.

Fire Service communications shift manager David Meikle said the building on a farm near Masterton was well alight by the time fire crews arrived at about 9pm.

"This building was destroyed, along with the 600 sheep who were in the building ready for shearing."

Mr Meikle said he understood the woolshed on Upper Plain Rd was two storeys and the sheep were in pens on the lower level.

With the 20-year-old building well alight when firefighters arrived, they concentrated on stopping the fire spreading to adjoining farm buildings, he said.

Firefighters managed to release a very small number of sheep before the intense heat from the blaze forced them to back off.

It is not known what started the fire but it is not being treated as suspicious.

- NZPA