Fire causes $550,000 in damages to Martin County turkey farm

A fire in Martin County resulted in the destruction of two turkey barns and about 10,000 birds Tuesday evening.

According to Haysville Volunteer Fire Department Chief John Furhman, the department responded to Pleasant View Turkey Farm, 793 Nolley Lane, southeast of Whitfield at about 6:30 p.m. When they arrived, they found two 40-by-500 foot turkey barns fully engulfed in flames.

Loogootee, Southeast Fire, Civil Defense and Harrison Township fire departments responded to the fire also. In all, 15 trucks and 41 firefighters fought the fire.

Fuhrman said the loss amounts to about $400,000 for the buildings and $150,000 in turkeys. A third building used for breeding operations was saved from being destroyed.

The fire is thought to have started when some burning cardboard from a burn pile blew into the first barn and was pulled through the ventilation system spreading quickly. The fire then spread to the second barn.

Fire crews were on scene for just over four hours putting out the fire.

Haysville Fire Department was the primary department on the call. They cover all of Rutherford Township in Martin County, according to Fuhrman.

The farm is associated with Perdue Farms.