Dozens of birds along with some other animals were killed in a large fire that engulfed a barn, leaving it a total loss in Lake Villa, officials said.
The Lake Villa Fire Protection District responded around 5 p.m. Monday to the 23900 block of West Petite Lake Road in Lake Villa for a call of a structure fire.
Firefighters arrived to find a 50-by-150-foot barn fully engulfed in flames, according to Lake Villa Fire Protection Battalion Chief Andy Wienckowski, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Wienckowski said firefighters found limited water availability and additional tanker trucks were needed.
The Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) was activated to the second alarm level, bringing in numerous area fire departments to the scene.
Firefighters used approximately 25,000 gallons of water and remained at the scene for four hours, Wienckowski said.
28 birds, along with some chickens and ducks, perished in the fire, the Tribune reported.
The structure was severely damaged and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
A loss estimate was not immediately available. No injuries were reported.