CROPSEY - About 200 pigs died in a Christmas night barn fire in northeastern McLean County along the Livingston County border, a fire official said.

The fire was reported about 6 p.m. about one-half mile north and one-half mile east of Cropsey, said Fire Chief Richard Brucker.

Brucker said the barn was fully engulfed in flames, which were coming through the roof by the time firefighters arrived. The barn was connected by covered hallways to three other buildings, and firefighters had to prevent the fire from spreading to a total about five or six barns, he said.

"We're just lucky it wasn't a big howling wind," Brucker said. "It was a light breeze."

The fire spread to one of the hallways soon after firefighters arrived, but the firefighters were able to knock down the flames, Brucker said. Most of the fire was knocked down within a few hours, but firefighters were at the scene until about 2 a.m., he said.

Firefighters from Octavia, Anchor, Cooksville and Strawn assisted in fighting the blaze, Brucker said. And firefighters from Sibley were on standby because of the fire, he said.