CAROLINE COUNTY, MD - A fire broke out in the early hours of June 23, 2024, at the Possum Hill Farms Inc. chicken house, located on Possum Hill Road in Federalsburg, MD. Workers were the first to discover the incident and promptly contacted the Federalsburg Volunteer Fire Company.

Despite a swift response time, the fire had already done extensive damage to the property, and as many as 30 firefighters were deployed to control the blaze. The fire took one hour and thirty minutes to be brought under control.

Approximately 28,000 chickens tragically perished in the fire. Damage to the structure is estimated at $400,000. Further loss relating to the contents of the structure are yet to be determined.

Investigations conducted by authorities have indicated that the fire originated in the pump room of the chicken house. Preliminary findings suggest that an electrical or mechanical failure within the pump room is the primary cause of the fire.