Fire kills as many as 240,000 chickens at Florida farm
December 17, 2020 / 7:38 AM
/ CBS/AP
A fire early Thursday killed as many as 240,000 chickens at a Florida farm operated by one of the nation's largest egg producers. The Pasco County fire department reports that three barns each containing up to 80,000 chickens each caught fire at the plant operated by Mississippi-based Cal-Maine.
The fire was reported about 1 a.m. Firefighters were able to save five other barns from burning, CBS affiliate WTSP-TV reports.
Fire Rescue Division Chief Shawn Whited says firefighters expect to be fighting the flames for several hours and there could be large explosions in the area, WTSP reports.