Boyden, Iowa — A hog confinement was destroyed and hundreds of hogs were lost in a fire on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 near Boyden.
According to Boyden Fire Chief Chris Starkenburg, at about 5:15 p.m., the Boyden Fire Department was called to the report of a hog confinement fire at 3375 Kiwi Avenue, five miles west and two and three-quarters south of Sheldon.
When they got there, the chief says the fire department saw the confinement fully engulfed. He says they used an exterior attack to fight the fire.
Starkenburg says 430 hogs perished in the blaze, but no human injuries were reported.
The fire department was assisted by the Matlock, Sheldon, and Hospers fire departments, the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office, and Sioux County Emergency Management. He says they used 40,000 gallons of water and some foam to extinguish the flames.
He says the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Chief Starkenburg reports that the 100-by-200 or 300-foot building was totaled.
He says the firefighters who responded were on the scene for about three and a half hours.
Click here for a press release that includes a drone picture of the building.
KIWA Staff Photo
