A turkey barn in Vulcan County caught fire, resulting in the destruction of the building and the death of 9,000 chicks. Vulcan County Emergency Services received a call about the fire early in the morning, and upon arrival, they found the metal frame building completely engulfed in flames. Despite efforts to save the structure, it was deemed a total loss. Thankfully, no humans were injured in the blaze, but the loss of 9,000 two-week-old turkeys was significant.
The regional fire chief and director of protective services with Vulcan County, Douglas Headrick, stated that there was a three-department response to the fire. The first responding unit reported that the turkey barn was fully involved in flames, making it a defensive operation. It took several hours for the crews to extinguish the fire, but they were able to prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, and there is no estimate yet on the cost of the damage.
The turkeys inside the barn were two weeks old, and they were not likely to be available for purchase in time for Thanksgiving, although they would have been ready for Christmas. Turkeys are typically slaughtered at 10-17 weeks old, according to Farmtransparency.org. The barn was located on a farm northeast of Vulcan, a town in southern Alberta. Due to privacy reasons, the exact location of the farm has not been disclosed by Global News. The loss of the turkeys and the barn itself is a devastating blow to the owners and the farming community.
Despite the tragic loss of the turkeys, the focus was on ensuring that the fire did not spread further and cause damage to other structures on the farm. Crews worked diligently for several hours to contain the flames and eventually extinguish them completely. The complete destruction of the barn is a major setback for the owners, and the cost of the damage is still unknown. The investigation into the cause of the fire will provide more information on what led to the tragic incident.
The fire serves as a reminder of the risks and challenges that agricultural operations face, especially when dealing with livestock. The loss of 9,000 turkeys is not only a financial setback but also an emotional one for the owners. As the investigation continues, more details may emerge about what caused the fire and how similar incidents can be prevented in the future. The farming community and Vulcan County Emergency Services will work together to support the owners and ensure that necessary measures are in place to prevent such tragedies from occurring again.
