The Township of Warwick Fire and Rescue department is calling a fire in Warwick Township a large loss.
On Sunday at around 3:00 p.m. fire crews arrived on scene to find a barn fully engulfed in flames.
Fire Chief Brad Goodhill said the fire happened in the area of Egremont Road and Arkona Road.
"The barn was engulfed in minutes because the strong winds caused the fire to spread rapidly," said Goodhill.
About 21,000 laying hens perished in the blaze.
Fire crews were able to hold back the fire and prevented it from spreading to another barn in the area.
"An adjoining barn was right next to the west of the involved structure," said Goodhill. "We were able to stop the fire loss from proceeding to that barn, and very, very fortunate that within approximately an hour, hour and a half we were able to have power hooked back up to that barn, as well as water. So that prevented the further loss of another 35,000 chickens."
An exact damage estimate was not available but Goodhill believes it could be upwards of $7 million.
The Ontario Fire Marshal's Office has been contacted.
