40,000 hatchling chickens die in fire

40,000 hatchling chickens die in fire

LEBANON, Pa. (AP) — Officials say 40,000 hatchlings perished in a chicken house fire in central Pennsylvania.

The blaze broke out Wednesday afternoon in North Cornwall Township. Fire officials say they found about three-quarters of the building destroyed when they got there, but no people were hurt. Black smoke could be seen billowing from the structure for miles.

The Lebanon Daily News reports the fire was brought under control in about 45 minutes, but the building was destroyed. All of the hatchlings inside perished.

Damage to the building was estimated at $500,000, while officials say the lost hatchlings were valued at $13,000.

The cause of the fire was unknown.