Greenwood chicken house fire kills 21,000 birds

An electrical malfunction reportedly sparked a fire in a chicken house over the weekend, killing thousands of birds.

The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office says on Sunday just after 5:20 PM, a fire at a chicken house on Hunters Cove Road, was reported. Officials say the Greenwood Volunteer Fire Company responded, and found heavy fire showing from the building.

With help from Ellendale, and Bridgeville fire companies, they were apparently able to put out the flames. The property owner was not home at the time of the fire, according to the report.

No injuries were reported. The blaze did severely damage the chicken house, and reportedly killed 21,000 chickens. Damages are estimated to total $500,000. Investigators say an electrical malfunction caused the fire.