German Cow flatulence causes fire

Germany: Methane gas from 90 flatulent cows exploded in a German farm shed on Monday, damaging the roof and injuring one of the animals, police said. High levels of the gas had built up in the structure in the central German town of Rasdorf, then "a static electric charge caused the gas to explode with flashes of flames," the force said in a statement. One cow was treated for burns, a police spokesman added.

High levels of the methane gas had built up within the structure in the central German town of Rasdorf on Monday thanks to animals belches and flatulence, before “a static electric charge caused the gas to explode with flashes of flames", the Independent quoted the police.

Emergency services who attended the scene took gas readings to check for any potential further blasts. The animals can emit up to 500 litres of the greenhouse gas methane each every day through belching and flatulence.