Farms.com Home   Ag Industry News

Barn fires in Michigan and Pennsylvania destroy equipment, claim chickens

Both fires occurred on April 30

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

Two U.S. farming communities are recovering after devastating barn fires.

A barn fire in Michigan’s Casco Township on April 30 destroyed the equipment stored inside.

South Haven Area Emergency Services (SHAES) responded to the fire at 6:10 a.m. to find the barn fully engulfed in flames.

Firefighters and emergency personnel from Columbia, Ganges, Bangor and Covert were called in to provide backup at the scene and fire stations.

The cause of the fire is under investigation but isn’t considered suspicious, according to Fox17.

The estimated damage is also unknown.


Firefighters battle a blaze at a farm in Michigan's Casco Township.
Photo: South Haven Area Emergency Services

A barn fire in Pennsylvania’s Lancaster County claimed the lives of about 20,000 chickens.

Firefighters received the call around 12:30 a.m. Sunday morning.

Upon arrival to the location in Strasburg Township, the crews encountered a 500- foot chicken barn fully engulfed in flames.

Nine engine companies, 13 tanker companies and two truck companies manage to control the fire in about three hours, Refton Fire Company Chief Wesley Hicks told The Associated Press.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation and the estimated damage is unknown.

Comments on the Refton Fire Company’s Facebook page suggest the barn belonged to the Breckbill family.

Farms.com has reached out to the family for comment.


Trending Video

Will a Weak U.S. High-Pressure Ridge = Summer Grain Rally?

Video: Will a Weak U.S. High-Pressure Ridge = Summer Grain Rally?


U.S. weather remains bearish through the 2nd - 3rd week of June but the forecast for a weak hot/dry weather forecast for the U.S. Western Corn Belt for end of June/July could see a late corn summer rally.
Where are the 90 trade deals in 90 days? Stocks continue to climb the wall of worry with U.S. Q1 earnings +13% better than expected!
A head and shoulders bottom in wheat looks promising ahead of the U.S. harvest.
The Sunday night weather forecast will become more critical over the next 10-12 weeks!