Layer Chicken Coop in Kuningan Burnt Down, 6,300 Chickens Perish

A severe fire razed a layer chicken coop in Puhun Hamlet, Haurkuning Village, Nusaherang District, Kuningan Regency, West Java, on Wednesday (3/6/2016). As a result of the incident, thousands of layer chicken chicks perished in the flames.

The Head of the Kuningan Regency Satpol PP Fire Department, Andri Arga Kusuma, explained that according to the coop managers, the fire was initially spotted burning the roof of the coop before spreading downwards. “Because the fire originated from above and there was no available water source, the coop managers attempted to extinguish the fire using makeshift tools,” said Andri on Wednesday.

The incident was subsequently reported to the Kuningan Regency Satpol PP Fire Department call centre to request assistance. Firefighters arrived at the scene immediately and initiated firefighting efforts. Once the flames were extinguished, officers continued with cooling operations to ensure no embers remained.

According to investigations and witness statements, the cause of the fire was identified as sparks from a chicken oven machine that ignited the plastic roofing of the coop. The fire resulted in the death of 6,300 out of a total of 6,500 layer chicken chicks. Additionally, the coop building, measuring 14 metres by 28 metres, was destroyed. Total losses are estimated at Rp120,000,000.