SENECA, S.C. --
Officials say a chickenhouse fire claimed the lives of an estimated 22,000 chickens that were set to go to market in less than a week.
Farm owner Floyd McPhail told The Greenville News that he has a half-dozen other chickenhouses that were not affected. He said it appears the blaze was caused by an electrical malfunction in the 16,000-square-foot building.
The chickens were ready to go to market on Wednesday.
Townville Fire Chief Billy McAdams said the blaze struck the chicken farm late Friday night. Several firefighters received medical attention because of the heat, but none were taken to the hospital.
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