Thousands of Chickens Die in Federalsburg Fire Sunday Afternoon
May 11, 2026/
Image courtesy MD State Fire Marshal
Thousands of chickens perished in a chicken house fire on Reliance Road in Federalsburg Sunday afternoon. Firefighters from Federalsburg were called just before 1pm for a structure fire and found a 60-foot by 500-foot chicken house on fire.
The call went to a second alarm with a tanker task force called for assistance. Crews from multiple fire companies were called to assist or provide back up.
Fire officials say it took over an hour to bring the blaze under control and investigation showed the fire began after an electrical or mechanical failure of the chicken house tunnel fan inside the structure.
About 35,000 chickens died in the fire and damage is estimated at $535,000.