Jan. 31--FAIRMONT -- A fire last week destroyed a chicken house at a Fairmont farm and killed more than 20,000 chickens. Investigators are trying to determine if the fire was an accident or arson.
According to sheriff's Lt. Brian Duckworth, an arson investigator, the fire leveled the facility, which was 500 feet long and 42 feet wide and housed about 21,000 chickens.
The wreckage needs to be examined to determine a cause, according to Duckworth. Investigators are waiting on the insurance company to conduct its assessment on the damage and to clear the debris, he said.
The fire was reported just after 6:30 a.m. on Friday at 1575 Bailey Road. Duckworth said the fire started on the end of the building closest to Bailey Road, known as an "entrance end."
"It just waltzed through that building so fast," he said. "One side is like curtains, so it's real susceptible to air to help accelerate the burn."
Duckworth said firefighters from Fairmont Rural and Whithouse departments battled the blaze "for hours and hours."
The 12-year-old building is one of four chicken houses in that area that belong to Stephen Dent. Duckworth said the chickens are raised for slaughter and then human consumption, and were sold about every 52 days.
The value of the building was estimated at $150,000. The chickens were valued at $4,500.
Copyright 2012 - The Robesonian, Lumberton, N.C.
