A massive fire south of Delisle, Sask., destroyed two chicken barns and may have killed as many as 30,000 chickens last night.
Black smoke billowed hundreds of feet into the sky and was visible from as far away as Saskatoon as emergency crews arrived on the scene shortly before 7 p.m.
Firefighters from Delisle and Asquith responded as part of a “mutual aid” callout from the Montrose Volunteer Fire Department, in whose jurisdiction the fire occurred and whose firefighters were also on scene.
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Nearby farmers quickly began arriving with water to assist firefighters.
“It certainly makes us more comfortable with the situation as far as water supply goes,” said Chief Mike Given of the Delisle and District Volunteer Fire Department, who was among the first on scene. “Water supply is always a concern at large, rural fires, and it’s comforting to know we can rely on our local farmers to assist with that.”
Fire crews were on scene until nearly 4 a.m.
The cause of the fire is still unknown and it remains under investigation.
