WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH/Gray News) – A chicken barn with over 20,000 chickens inside caught fire after an explosion in Kansas last week.
According to Newton Fire/EMS, crews responded to a large fire at a chicken barn in the 1400 block of North West Road.
There was a report of an explosion on the call, prompting the surrounding communities to respond to the scene with water tenders (tanks).
Officials say one person was in the chicken barn at the time of an explosion but was not injured. However, the same cannot be said for thousands of chickens.
“Unfortunately, the barn was at or near capacity with 20,000 chickens,” the department reported. “The entire structure has collapsed. Fire crews will remain on scene throughout the afternoon and evening.”
It’s unknown how many chickens were lost in the explosion.
Crews established a safe area around a propane storage tank with plans to allow the remnants of the structure to burn.
The Harvey County Sheriff’s Office said that there was a gas leak in connection with the explosion.
“When I got on scene, part of the building had already collapsed and fire had started to the building,” Harvey County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Time Boese said. “As fire crews got on scene, the fire quickly progressed and went through the entire building, burning the whole building down.”
KWCH learned that the barn sat on family-owned land.
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