A Thursday night fire in rural Saline County killed 250 baby chickens being kept in a basement, according to the Saline County Sheriff’s Office.
The fire broke out at a home in the 10,900 block of South Hohneck Road. A 67-year-old resident left the home around 2:30 p.m. to run errands and returned around 5:10 p.m., when heavy smoke was coming from the house. The only casualties were the baby chickens.
Officials say the cause could be a faulty fan that was left on in the kitchen. The home is expected to be a total loss, including about $150,000 for the home and $40,000 for contents.
First responders who responded included the Marquette Volunteer Fire Department, Saline County Rural Fire Department #6, Saline County Rural Fire Department #2, and McPherson County Rural Fire District #8.