A chicken barn fire estimated to have caused more than $3.6 million in damage last week remains under investigation.
The fire, which was called in at about 10:50 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, occurred in one of several barns east of Olds near Highway 27 and Rge. Rd. 285.
About 30 firefighters from seven departments, including the Olds Fire Department (OFD) responded to the blaze. Fire officials say there were no chickens in that barn at that time so there was "no loss of life to livestock."
One firefighter was treated for exertion by ambulance personnel on-scene, transported to hospital, and later released.
Olds fire officials say the cause of the fire is not suspicious, but they are continuing to investigate its cause.
In total, about 30 firefighters fought the blaze into the early morning. Several remained on-scene for 17 hours, to ensure the blaze was completely contained and to investigate it.
"Upon arrival, fire crews found a chicken barn (500 feet by 120 feet) fully involved in flame," an OFD news release says, adding they managed to prevent further damage or any loss of livestock in adjacent barns which housed 104,000 chickens that were in very close proximity."
Several remained on-scene for 17 hours, to ensure the blaze was completely contained and to investigate it.
