Hundreds Of Chickens Killed In Barn Fire In Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, CT — Hundreds of chickens were killed in a fire that destroyed a chicken coop barn in Fairfield early Tuesday morning. A man was injured while trying to rescue the chickens from the fire and another man who was sleeping in a nearby structure was rescued by firefighters, according to officials.

Emergency crews responded to the 300 block of Mine Hill Road in Fairfield just before 5 a.m. on Dec. 4 on the report of a chicken coop barn on fire.

“Engine 5, the first arriving unit led by Lt. Mark Harry, reported heavy smoke and fire coming from an approximate 5,500-square foot two-story structure, with fire exposing to an adjacent occupied home,” fire officials wrote in a press release. “Engine 5 initiated an aggressive exterior attack on the fire while simultaneously searching the adjacent structure. The lone male occupant was rescued from the exposed structure and led to safety by Fairfield fire personnel.”

The rescued main reported no injuries, officials said. The family was found outside of the main house, approximately 100 feet from the fire and “reported a minor injury sustained while attempting to release chickens from the fire building.” AMR paramedics were called to the scene to evaluate the family.

“Due to the barn style of construction, stored fuels and propane tanks, the fire quickly spread throughout the structure, resulting in a collapse of the second floor,” officials said. “Firefighters were unable to enter the building, but were able to apply cooling water to propane tanks located in the building to avoid an explosion. A total of five engines, two truck companies and a command car initially responded to the incident and brought the fire under control in approximately 30 minutes. The chief, deputy chief, safety officer and fire marshal were called to the scene to support operations along with Connecticut DEEP, and town of Fairfield Building and Health officials.

“In addition, units from Westport and Bridgeport fire departments were called to provide mutual aid coverage to Fairfield’s fire stations.”

The owners of the farm estimate they lost between 500 and 600 chickens in the fire, according to News12 Connecticut.

“The quick actions of the first arriving engine company prevented the loss of life to the occupant who was asleep and unaware of the fire,” Assistant Chief Roger Caisse, the incident commander said. “Fires like this should serve as a reminder about the importance of having working smoke detectors to alert occupants and an established meeting place outside in the event of a fire."

No firefighter injuries were reported from the scene and the cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Fairfield Fire Marshal's office.

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