Fire at Hutterite poultry barn kills 8,000 chickens

March 24, 2011 – A fire at a poultry barn in western Manitoba has killed about 8,000 chickens.

March 24, 2011 – A fire at a poultry barn in western Manitoba has killed about 8,000 chickens.

RCMP say the blaze broke out at the Hillside Hutterite colony in the Rural Municipality of Elton near Brandon.

Staff Sgt. Mike Zens says by the time firefighters arrived, the building was engulfed in flames and could not be saved. No people were injured.

The damage, including the loss of the chickens, is estimated at more than $500,000.

The cause is being investigated.