More than 34,000 chickens die in Virginia, North Carolina farm fires

FULKS RUN, Va. — More than 34,000 chickens were killed during fires at two separate poultry farms within a day of each other, authorities said.

Fire officials said a fire in Fulks Run, Virginia, killed approximately 24,000 chickens Friday, WHSV reported. An additional 10,000 chickens perished the day before in Yadkinville, North Carolina, the television station reported.

Firefighters were able to contain the blaze in Virginia, but the barn, which was built in 1978, was destroyed.

According to Joe Mullens, of Rockingham County Fire and Rescue, the cause of the fire is still under investigation, WHSV reported.

“We weren’t able to even get close enough to open the door to see if we could get the chickens out,” Mullens told the television station.

The fire in North Carolina was ignited about 3:30 p.m. at a chicken house in Yadkinville, WXII reported.

Firefighters said one house was destroyed, but another one was saved, according to the television station.

Damage is estimated at $200,000.

Authorities believe the fires were unrelated, authorities said. No workers were injured at either location.

© 2020 Cox Media Group