Cow farts blamed for barn fire in Germany

RASDORF, Germany, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Emergency responders in Germany said a barn fire was caused by flatulent cows releasing methane gas around a massaging machine.

Police and firefighters said Monday they were called to a barn in Rasdorf, Hesse, to put out flames sparked when methane from the unusually flatulent cows reacted with static energy from a massaging machine designed to increase milk production, TheLocal.de reported Tuesday.

One cow was treated for burns and the roof of the barn suffered damage from the flames, police said.