On Saturday evening, just before 7:00, the New Castle County’s 911 Center received multiple reports of chicken houses on fire in the 1800 block of Middle Neck Road, west of Middletown.
Upon receiving these calls, the incident commander immediately directed dispatchers to start several water tankers to the scene. Firefighters arriving on scene reported fire showing from two story chicken house and struck a second alarm.
During their initial attack on the fire, crews worked to secure the water supply that would be needed to battle the blaze.
About 40 minutes into the fire command received an urgent message from a firefighter reporting that the fire was in the nearby grain silos. Command ordered an immediate evacuation of the structure, asking dispatch to sound the evacuation tones.
At about 50 minutes into the fight water supply command requested three additional tankers from 911 dispatch.
Despite the water supply difficulties encountered during the operation command was able to bring the fire under control just after 11:00.
Emergency crews remained on the scene well into the early morning hours of Sunday, ensuring that all remaining hotspots were fully extinguished and that the scene was safe.
Further details regarding the cause, circumstances, and damage estimates of the fire will be provided once fire investigators release their official report.
