Multiple flocks lost and one firefighter injured as crews battle large blaze at major egg production facility near Corwith
A large fire tore through parts of the Hawkeye Pride Egg Farm near Corwith, Iowa, late March 26, destroying multiple layer houses, killing several flocks of birds, and injuring a firefighter as emergency crews from across the region worked through the night to contain the blaze.
The fire broke out early Thursday evening, prompting a massive multi-department response. More than a dozen fire departments were dispatched to the scene, bringing in water from surrounding communities and nearby lakes as strong winds and dry conditions complicated suppression efforts. The scale of the buildings and the speed at which flames spread made containment difficult.
“The massive size of these buildings made it difficult to contain, and soon spread into adjacent buildings,” the Belmond Fire Department said in a social media post. Fire officials later determined that all buildings south of the origin of the fire were unsalvageable.
The following morning, crews remained on site using heavy equipment to remove debris and access hotspots still burning according to multiple media outlets. Firefighters worked to prevent the flames from spreading to additional structures further north on the property. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Farm Confirms Flock Losses and Firefighter Injury
Hawkeye Pride Egg Farm released a statement acknowledging the damage and confirming that several flocks were lost in the blaze. The company also said one firefighter was injured during the response, although details about the extent of the injury have not been made public.
“Our Hawkeye Pride Egg Farm experienced a devastating fire this week. We have received many messages of support, and we appreciate the care of our community during this difficult time. While no employees were harmed, our prayers are with the firefighter who was injured during the response to the fire. We are keeping him and his loved ones close in our thoughts.”
“Despite our team's extraordinary efforts and the brave and tireless efforts of multiple fire departments, we are sad to share that several flocks were lost to the fire,” the statement continued. “We are grateful for the swift actions of first responders and our farm employees, who helped keep our team safe and prevented the spread of the fire to additional barns.”
Major Egg Production Facility Affected
Hawkeye Pride Egg Farm is part of the Versova Family of Companies, which is in the process of transitioning its operations into the Versova Management Cooperative. Collectively, the cooperative’s member farms house more than 30 million laying hens, making it one of the largest egg-producing groups in North America.
The Corwith facility processes both shell eggs and liquid egg products and includes conventional and cage-free housing. According to industry sources, the farm is capable of handling eggs from approximately six million hens on site, highlighting the scale of production potentially affected by the fire.
Community and Industry Impacts
Officials say the fire had effects beyond the farm itself, placing heavy demands on volunteer fire departments from numerous small communities. Firefighters remained on scene for hours, with some departments reporting equipment losses during the response.
Despite the damage, no farm employees were injured, and neighboring communities have rallied to support both first responders and the affected operation. Local fire departments have already begun fundraising efforts to replace damaged hoses and equipment used during the blaze.
As the investigation continues, the incident serves as a reminder of the fire risks associated with large livestock and poultry facilities, particularly during periods of dry weather and high winds. It also highlights the critical role rural emergency services play in protecting vital agricultural infrastructure.
Just a few weeks prior to the fire, the Versova Community Foundation made donations to volunteer fire departments based in Iowa. The Social Media post at the time said, "We’d like to extend a special thank you to Lake Mills Iowa Fire Department - LMFD, Scarville Fire Department, and Thompson Fire Department; we appreciate your continued partnership and all you do to help our communities!"
Further updates are expected as authorities determine the cause and assess the full extent of the damage.
Photo Credit: Belmond Fire Department