A large chicken coop and its feathered occupants went up in flames in the early morning hours of Jan. 5 at a farm, 7805 Turley Road, along the Big River in rural De Soto near the Washington County Line
The homeowner called 911 at 1:59 a.m. after spotting the fire, and when firefighters arrived on the scene, the building was fully engulfed in flames, said Assistant Chief Tom Fitzgerald of the De Soto Rural Fire Protection District.
“Many chickens didn’t make it, but some did,” he said.
The temperature was about 6 degrees while firefighters battled the blaze in the 20-by-30-foot wooden structure.
“The water that doesn’t evaporate does turn to ice eventually, Fitzgerald said.
The fire was brought under control in about 20 minutes. Firefighters were on the scene for about two hours, he said.
The cause of the fire is believed to be the heating devices inside the coop to keep the chickens warm, Fitzgerald said.
The Hillsboro Fire Protection District assisted with the call.