Nearly a dozen chickens are dead after a fire fully engulfed and destroyed a chicken coop, placing another building at risk of catching fire, in Woodstock Monday afternoon.
The Woodstock Fire/Rescue District and Woodstock Police Department responded around 1:14 p.m. Monday to the 14100 block of Westwood Trail in Woodstock for a reported structure fire.
Additional information received while crews were responding indicated the fire involved a chicken coop located near a structure on the property, according to Woodstock Fire/Rescue District Public Information Officer Alex Vucha.
Firefighters arrived a short time later to find the large coop fully engulfed in flames, Vucha said.
Fire crews stretched a hose line and had water on the fire within minutes, extinguishing the flames before they could spread to the nearby structure.
Vucha said nearly a dozen chickens are believed to have died in the fire.
No injuries were reported to any residents or firefighters during the incident.
Firefighters remained on the scene extinguishing hot spots before clearing the scene approximately an hour later.
Vucha said residents are reminded that heating elements and electrical devices used in outdoor structures such as coops, barns and sheds should be specifically rated for outdoor use and able to withstand exposure to wind, rain and snow.
Electrical cords and equipment should be properly protected from the elements and secured so animals cannot chew, damage or disturb wiring, which can create a potential fire hazard.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District.