| Arizona Republic
Two barns were destroyed and it is estimated 165,000 hens were killed in a fire at Hickman’s Family Farms location in Arlington, about an hour west of Phoenix, according to officials.
Firefighters responded to a report of the fire on the farm around 1 p.m., and were able to contain the second alarm fire around 4 p.m., said Sarah Mendoza, a spokeswoman for the Buckeye Valley Fire District.
An unknown man has been admitted to hospital in a stable condition for smoke inhalation, Mendoza said. No firefighters were injured.
Several fire agencies, including the Buckeye Fire Valley District, Arizona Fire and Medical Authority and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the fire, Mendoza said.
A spokesman for Hickman’s Family Farms said the fire started at Barn 5 and spread to Barn 6. The losses include the hens that are dead and equipment and supplies such as food, water, transportation systems, water systems, lighting and computer technology.
“It’s very unfortunate – it’s devastating to us,” said Sharman Hickman, a spokesman for Hickman’s Family Farms. But Hickman said they are grateful no lives were lost due to the fire.
Hickman said the loss will not affect anyone who buys eggs, and that the shelves will remain full from tomorrow until past Easter.
The fire on the farm Arlington, which has a total of 26 chicken houses, was stopped on Saturday afternoon, according to Hickman. The family will not know the cost of damages until the investigation is completed, Hickman said.
‘Of course we wanted the eggs for families to be for their Easter celebrations, but we must first respond our first and thank staff who tried everything to save our birds, save each other and make sure everyone was as safe as possible, she said.
Hickman then said that the farm will clean and monitor the nearby barns to make sure the birds have no smoke damage and to make sure the feed, water or air in the barns is not interrupted. Hickman said they will also make counseling available to their staff.
The cause of the fire is being investigated, according to Mendoza.
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