60,000 chickens die in massive factory farm fire

At least 60,000 chickens have been killed in a fire at a poultry factory farm in Waddinxveen, fire brigade officials said on Thursday.

Fire broke out at the farm on Thursday morning and spread to all four barns at the site. Billowing smoke from the blaze was seen for miles around and locals were told to keep doors and windows closed. The cause of the fire is not yet known.

There are often fires at factory farms but this is one of the biggest in recent history.

Some 15,000 chickens died in a fire at in a barn at a chicken farm in Drenthe in August and 36,000 died at in a major fire in June. In May 2015, some 60,000 chickens were been killed in a fire at a factory farm near Venray, Limburg.

The government is currently working on plans to improve fire safety at the country’s factory farms, many of which were built in the 1970s. The plans are due to be sent to parliament in early 2017.

According to economic affairs ministry figures, over a quarter of a million chickens have been killed in farm fires since 2012. Over 20,000 pigs died in fires over the same period.

Vreselijk. Weer 60.000 kippen verbrand. Brandpreventie bestaande stallen MOET verplicht worden https://t.co/s4GCkbkCaq#stalbrand

— Marianne Thieme (@mariannethieme) October 6, 2016

Ben bang dat die schuur er helemaal aan gaat… #waddinxveen #brand #fb pic.twitter.com/FvgxZLtqRS

— Wilfred Waltman (@wilfredwaltman) October 6, 2016