‘‘In the barn for 90 dairy cows, methane built up for unknown reasons and was probably ignited by a static discharge, exploding in a darting flame,’’ said local police in the central town of Rasdorf in Hesse state.

‘‘Parts of the roof cover were slightly damaged and a cow suffered minor burns,’’ said police, adding that a fire crew rushed to the scene of Monday’s accident and a gas field crew later measured methane levels.

AFP