On December 2, 2006 the Delmar Fire Department (Sussex County 74) along with Gumboro (79) and Parsonsburg (Wicomico County 6) were alerted for a chicken house fire at 14185 Pepperbox Road east of Delmar. As units were approaching the scene a large amount of smoke could be seen from miles away. 74 Command (74-16, S. Johnson) arrived to find a chicken house fully involved with plenty of exposures.
Crews had to contain the fire quickly due to other chicken houses and several 1000 gal propane tanks in close proximity of the burning building. Command requested two additional tankers to the scene which brought in Laurel (Sussex County 81) and Willards (Wicomico County 8) who where already on their way to a stand by assignment at Station 79. A service crew from "Pep Up" responded to shut off all the propane gas going to the houses. Crews had the fire under control within an hour.
The owner of the chicken house said he was to get a load of chickens in two more days. The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the fire.
