FIREFIGHTERS BATTLED A MONDAY AFTERNOON CHICKEN HOUSE FIRE

Willards, MD - A fire occurred on a chicken farm on Monday, January 27, 2025, causing significant losses. The event took place at Gator Farms, located at 35000 block of Cobbs Hill Road in Willards, Wicomico County, Maryland.

The fire destroyed a 40-foot by 500-foot chicken house constructed of wood and metal.

The farm owner discovered the fire after being alerted by the agricultural temperature alarm installed on the premises.

Willards Volunteer Fire Department was the primary responder to the incident, deploying 30 firefighters to manage the situation.

The fire was brought under control within 25 minutes, thanks to the swift action of the firefighters. However, despite their efforts, the structure suffered an estimated loss of $50,000, and the contents, which included farm equipment, were also significantly impacted, with losses estimated at $30,000.

Sadly, of the 28,600 chickens housed in the structure at the time of the incident, approximately 250 perished in the fire.  

Following a preliminary investigation, the incident's cause was determined to be accidental, due to an electrical failure at the interior ceiling level of the chicken house.