MONROE TOWNSHIP -- Thousands of turkeys were killed after a powerful fire broke out in a barn in Snyder County Saturday night.
Now the fire-damaged operation must continue to care for the thousands of birds that remain while it gets back up and running.
Fire officials say there were about 5,000 turkeys in that barn near Selinsgrove and around half of them were killed. But thanks to more than half a dozen fire companies and the wind blowing in the right direction, firefighters were able to save about half of the barn and the birds inside.
The Hummels Wharf Fire Chief estimates between 2,000-3,000 turkeys died.
Neighbors watched anxiously as the flames shot skyward.
"We were so scared because there were so many turkeys in there and it was sad to see that happen," said Jessica Leon of Monroe Township.
On Sunday, turkey feathers covered the area. One neighbor said during the fire you could see embers of the feathers floating through the sky.
"It was glowing orange, just crazy. It scared my kids. We were worried if anybody was hurt," said Bobbie Joe Herman of Selinsgrove.
A representative of the barn's owner, Randy Bailey, says the farmer was devastated by what happened, but didn't want to speak on camera or have us on his land.
Joe Detweiler of Winfield watched as the surviving turkeys were moved from the damaged barn.
"Now they are moving all the turkeys out from the burnt building, over into the other building. Now they are having feed and water and everything,” he said.
The fire chief says for now the farm must make do without power or water while caring for the thousands of turkeys that remain. He's offered a water tanker to help while the operation gets back up and running.
There is no word yet on the cause of the fire, but a state police fire marshal is expected to investigate Tuesday.
