Major Poultry Shed Fire Near Maitland Claims Thousands of Chickens
A significant fire at a poultry farm in Luskintyre, located near Maitland in the Hunter region, has resulted in the potential loss of up to 20,000 chickens, according to the New South Wales Rural Fire Service. The incident has drawn a large emergency response and raised concerns about agricultural safety.
Emergency Response to Luskintyre Property Blaze
Firefighters were alerted to the property on Monday, February 10, just after 5:00 PM, following reports of a shed engulfed in flames. Upon arrival, crews encountered a rapidly spreading fire that ultimately led to the complete collapse of the affected structure.
The Rural Fire Service confirmed that the property contained three operational sheds, each capable of housing approximately 20,000 chickens. Fortunately, the fire was contained to a single shed, preventing a more catastrophic outcome across the entire facility.
Investigations Point to Electrical Fault as Likely Cause
Authorities have indicated that the fire does not appear to be suspicious in nature. Preliminary investigations suggest that an electrical fault may have ignited the blaze, though a full and formal investigation is still underway to determine the exact cause with certainty.
The RFS spokesperson noted that the shed's ventilation system contributed to the fire's rapid intensification, allowing it to spread quickly through the structure. This factor complicated firefighting efforts and led to the generation of substantial dark smoke, visible from considerable distances.
Large-Scale Firefighting Operation and Decontamination
The emergency response involved approximately 40 firefighters and 13 fire trucks, highlighting the scale of the incident. Following their efforts, all personnel and equipment required decontamination procedures due to the nature of the materials involved in the poultry shed fire.
Crews remained on site throughout the evening to manage the situation and are scheduled to return on Tuesday. Their tasks will include using machinery to dismantle the collapsed shed structure and extinguish any remaining burning materials that may be smouldering beneath the debris.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within agricultural infrastructure and the importance of robust fire safety measures in rural and farming communities across New South Wales.
