A huge fire killed 50,000 chickens at a Dutch farm on Saturday.
The blaze, which began in a manure storage area, quickly spread. It reached one of the four barns at the farm in Limburg, where about 200,000 chickens are kept.
The chickens were locked inside the barn and could not escape, as is common in large chicken farms. Barns are sealed for security and ventilation, leaving the animals with no way out during a fire.
The farmer described the loss as “quite sad” to Dutch news media NOS. “You don’t become a farmer to lose animals, so it hurts.”
Fire crews fought the blaze and prevented it from spreading to other barns with chickens. Officials warned that the fire produced heavy smoke. Nearby residents were advised to keep windows and doors closed and switch off ventilation systems to avoid inhaling fumes.
The fire also damaged solar panels, scattering debris near the forested area close to a recreation park. Firefighters warned that the debris could harm grazing animals.
In 2024, there were 42 major barn fires across the Netherlands, killing over 62,000 animals. One big fire in Puiflijk burned 50,000 chickens.
Insurance agencies have repeatedly urged farmers to improve fire safety. The failure of electrical systems and maintenance work are often the main causes.
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