Several chickens were lost after a barn pole fire in the Town of Schleswig.
The Kiel Fire Department was called just after 2:35 p.m. yesterday, with the caller reporting that animals were trapped inside a barn in the 21000 block of Point Creek Road.
The first firefighters arrived 12 minutes after receiving the call and found a 40-by-60-foot pole barn with heavy smoke coming from inside.
Fire crews also found a chicken coop on the first floor inside the barn.
The fire was eventually extinguished, but Kiel Firefighters remained on scene for an hour to conduct overhaul efforts.
The chicken coop was considered a total loss, and there was significant smoke and heating damage to the property.
Damage to the shed was said to be $15,000, and chickens inside the shed were found deceased.
No fire personnel were injured in battling the fire.
The cause of the fire was undetermined due to multiple potential ignition sources, including heating devices and extension cords in the area.
The Kiel Fire Department also requested mutual aid through the MABAS alarm due to the cold weather and the size of the barn.
Firefighters also remind residents to be cautious with space heaters and extension cords and to ensure they are being used as directed by the manufacturer.
