Police are investigating the cause of a fire that killed thousands of pigs at a farm in Northern Ireland.

Carcasses of the sows and piglets were being removed from the premises near Bessbrook, Co Armagh, throughout yesterday.

While the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) has said the fire, which broke out early on Saturday morning, may have been deliberate, the police have not yet determined if the incident was suspicious. The NIFRS estimated that 800 sows and 3,500 piglets perished. However, it is understood the owner of the property believes the death toll could be significantly lower.