Over 4000 hogs were killed early Saturday morning when the barn they were housed in caught fire, say RCMP.

Steinbach RCMP responded to the blaze in the Rural Municipality of Hanover at about 2:53 a.m.

Police say an environmental officer also attended to determine if there were any animal welfare issues.

The Manitoba Office of the Fire Commissioner has ruled the fire accidental.

No damage estimate has been made and the investigation is ongoing.