US: Fire kills 10,000 chickens

A barn fire on a poultry farm in Paducah, Kentucky, has killed nearly 10,000 chickens.

The poultry farm was contracted to Pilgrim's Pride.

Chief of the Reidland-Farley Fire Department said that it is suspected that perhaps the fire was caused by a propane heater, but it is at this point still unknown. Foul play is not suspected.

No human injuries were reported.

Natalie Berkhout

Freelance journalist

One comment

Mary Finelli

17 Dec 2008 17:12

This is truly tragic, most especially for the chickens, of course. Animals have no chance of escaping disasters such as this when they are kept in intensive confinement systems, which undoubtedly this was.

Such tragedies are all too common, but what is unusual is your reporting on it. Thank you for specifying that there were no human injuries. I believe it is the first time I have seen it in the many, many articles about similar cases that I have read. Other times, despite the thousands of lives lost, it is reported that 'there were no injuries' or 'no one was hurt,' with complete disregard and disrespect for the nonhuman animal victims. I appreciate the sensitivity and sensibility shown here. It may be a first!!