21,000 chicks killed in fire in Gumboro

About 21,000 6-week-old chickens were killed in a fire in Gumboro on Wednesday, fire marshals said.

The fire, reported about 6:30 p.m. in the 36000 block of Jones Church Road, near Millsboro Highway (Del. 26), destroyed a building and left damages estimated at $400,000, Assistant State Fire Marshal Michael G. Chionchio said.

No civilians or firefighters were injured, but all the 6-week-old chickens in the building were killed, he said.

The Gumboro Volunteer Fire Company, along with other local volunteer fire companies, fought the blaze at the 500-by-40-foot poultry building for 90 minutes, according to Gumboro volunteer firefighter Bobby Justice.

Fire marshals investigated the incident and ruled the blaze accidental, caused by an erupted electrical outlet after a malfunction, Chionchio said.

Contact Greta Iverson at (302) 324-2771 giverson@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @greta_wade.