Fire kills 21,000 chicks at Lancashire farm
Birds perish after blaze engulfs single-storey shed
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A fire at a chicken farm in Lancashire has killed around 21,000 chicks.
The birds were in a shed and perished when the blaze engulfed the single-storey building, measuring 70m by 20m.
Emergency services were sent to the farm on Rosemary Lane, Preston, around 8pm on Tuesday night to put out the flames but were unable to save the birds.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said no people have been injured in the fire.
“Five fire engines and an aerial ladder platform (ALP) and crews were assigned, two from Preston, one from Fulwood, one from Penwortham and ALP and support pump from Blackpool,” a spokesperson said.
Firefighters prevented the flames spreading to adjacent buildings and work has gone on overnight to reduce the fire to residual burning in isolated pockets.
The cause of the fire is yet to be established.
In May, firefighters in Belgium gassed 20,000 chicks which were suffocating in a container at Brussels Airport.
The mass euthanasia happened after a flight scheduled to take the birds to the Democratic Republic of Congo was cancelled.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments