7000 baby turkeys killed in Massachusetts barn fire

A large fire ripped through a Lancaster turkey farm Thursday, killing at least 7,000 birds.

“Someone drove in the yard really fast”, said Susan Miner.

A massive fire ripped through a barn at the Old Common Road farm Thursday afternoon.

The family farm owners say it’s a devastating loss for the company.

“We have some eggs in the incubators, but they were without power for a little while during the fire, so we’re not sure how those hatches are going to be, but it’s not going to be enough to save our Thanksgiving”, Miner said. They said the farm is their livelihood and they are devastated by the fire. The farm said it is busiest during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays when its free-range birds are part of a holiday feasts.

Lancaster Fire Department Chief Michael Hanson told WCVB-TV, Boston, firefighters initially focused on keeping two other barns from catching fire. “Our birds live outdoors weather permitted (which anyone in the neighborhood can attest to) but small birds such as the ones we lost have specific needs!”

In posts on the farm’s Facebook page, the family responded to speculation that the barn was overcrowded, leading to the deaths of so many turkeys.

No people were injured in the fire.

The fire remains under investigation, but at this point it does not appear to be suspicious, officials said.