| Arizona Republic
Two granaries were destroyed and it is estimated that 165,000 chickens died on Saturday in a fire at the Hickman Family Farm site in Arlington, about an hour west of Phoenix, according to authorities.
Firefighters responded to a report of the farm fire around 1 pm and managed to contain the second fire alarm at around 4 pm, said Sarah Mendoza, spokesman for the Buckeye Valley Fire District.
An unidentified man was hospitalized in stable conditions for smoke inhalation, Mendoza said. No firefighters were injured.
Several fire departments, including the Buckeye Fire Valley district, the Arizona Fire and Medical Authority and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the fire, Mendoza said.
A spokesman for Hickman’s Family Farms said the fire started in Barn 5 and spread to Barn 6. Losses include chickens that died and equipment and supplies such as food, water, transport systems, irrigation systems, lighting and computer technology.
“It’s extremely unfortunate – it’s devastating for us,” said Sharman Hickman, a spokesman for Hickman’s Family Farm. But Hickman said he was grateful that no lives were lost in the fire.
Hickman said the loss will not affect anyone who buys eggs and that the shelves will remain fully stocked from tomorrow until Easter “well after”.
The fire at Arlington farm, which has a total of 26 chicken coops, was contained on Saturday afternoon, according to Hickman. The family will not know the cost of the damage until the investigation is completed, said Hickman.
“Of course, we wanted these eggs to be able to have for families at Easter celebrations, but first of all, we need to thank our first respondents and the team who tried to do everything they could to save our birds, save each other. , ensuring everyone was as safe as possible, “she said.
Next, Hickman said the farm will conduct cleanup and monitor nearby barns to ensure that the birds have no damage from smoke and to ensure that there are no interruptions in feed, water or air in the barns. Hickman said he will also make advice available to his team.
The cause of the fire is being investigated, according to Mendoza.
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