Last Updated on January 30, 2023
An estimated 100,000 egg-laying chickens were killed when a three-alarm fire broke out at an egg farm in Connecticut over the weekend. The loss of one of the nation’s largest egg farms is expected to send already surging egg prices even higher. The price of eggs has already increased by 60% over the past year.
Officials said the fire broke out at Hillandale Farms on Saturday. According to a report from WFSB, a 400′x50′ chicken coop was lost; however, another 13 chicken coops were saved during the fire.
In total, 21 fire departments responded to the massive fire. Crews ultimately remained on scene for 8 hours in order to contain the blaze.
According to Norwich Firefighters Local 892, a two-story, 400-foot by 100-foot building was fully engulfed in flames. An exact figure on chickens lost is unknown at this time, though the Salvation Army estimated that upwards of 100,000 chickens may have been lost. Hillandale Farms has yet to comment.
The cause of the blaze has not yet been determined and is still being investigated.
On its website, Hillandale Farms bills itself as one of the country’s top egg producers, raising over 20 million chickens for eggs. It has corporate offices in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
The blaze has raised fears that egg prices — which have soared dramatically over the past several months — could raise even higher if the loss of 100,000 chickens is confirmed. In total, egg prices have increased by over 60% in the past year.