Early-morning outbreak of fire kills 16,000 chickens

Some 16,000 chickens have been killed in a large fire in a shed in Northern Ireland.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said it took more than eight hours to bring the blaze at Belcoo, Co Fermanagh, under control.

Firefighters were called to the scene at Marble Arch Road just before 7:30am on Sunday.

A water tanker and fire appliances from Belleek, Enniskillen and Irvinestown stations were scrambled to the outbreak.

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A NIFRS spokesman said firefighters used breathing apparatus and water jets “in difficult conditions” to douse the blaze.

It was eventually brought under control shortly before 4pm.

“Unfortunately, 16,000 chickens were killed in the incident,” a spokesman said.

“Investigation into the cause is ongoing.”