The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office is currently investigating a building fire that occurred in Middletown on Saturday night December 16, 2023 at approximately 7 PM.
The Volunteer Hose Company of Middletown was notified of a brush fire in the area of 1800 Middleneck Road. While responding to the original call, the responding units received reports of a building fire at the same location. Upon arrival the Fire Department found heavy fire and smoke coming from a large two-story commercial egg producing facility. Command immediately called for a 2nd Alarm to assist with extinguishment of the fire. Multiple Fire Companies from Delaware and Maryland responded to assist.
Deputy Fire Marshals were called to the scene to investigate the origin and cause of the fire. At this time the fire is currently under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. No injuries were reported and the fire caused an approximate 1,000,000 dollars in damage officials said. Approximately 200,000 chickens perished in the structure, fire marshals said Sunday.
Breaking Report
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.
