Huge fire burns Kocaeli poultry farm, killing 21,000 chickens

KOCAELI

A fire that broke out in the roof of a poultry farm during repair work has killed 21,000 chickens in the Kandıra district of Turkey’s northwestern province of Kocaeli, Doğan News Agency has reported.

Fire broke out on Sept. 30 after a welder’s spark touched isolation materials during construction and repair work in the roof of the poultry farm belonging to Nihat Ayvazoğlu.

Ayvazoğlu called the fire station for help as flames spread due to fanning by the wind.

Despite the efforts of firefighters, some 21,000 chickens were killed in the fire. 

“Isolation materials were ignited due to sparks from the welder during repair works. The fire spread rapidly due to the wind. We called the fire department but we could not prevent the death of the chickens,” Ayvazoğlu said, adding that the farm is insured against such damage.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident.