30 chickens killed in Pakenham barn fire

Ottawa firefighters battling a barn fire in Pakenham on Jan. 7, 2024. (Jean Lalonde/Ottawa Fire Services)

Firefighters say 30 chickens died after a fire destroyed a barn in Ottawa's rural west end on Tuesday morning.

A news release from Ottawa Fire Services says they responded to a 911 call from barn's owner in the 4000 block of Walter Bradley in Pakenham at about 6:30 a.m.

Firefighters on scene found the barn fully engulfed and starting to collapse. Eight horses were also inside the structure but are safe.

There were no other occupants inside.

"Firefighters battled heavy winds and cold temperatures but were able to bring the fire under control at 10:39. An excavator has been called to the scene to help move the debris and extinguish hot spots," Ottawa fire said.

Firefighters remained at the scene in the afternoon with the Salvation Army coming to provide hot beverages and food to the crews at the scene.

There were no injuries reported.

The cause of the fire has not been determined.

The fire is one of four blazes fought by Ottawa firefighters on Tuesday, according to spokesperson Nick Defazio.

Two women were taken to hospital after a fire inside the garage of a townhome in South Keys in the early hours of the morning. Firefighters later responded to a fire on the fourth floor of a high-rise in the 800 block of St. Laurent Boulevard. There were no injuries reported.

Shortly after 12 p.m., firefighters battled a two-alarm fire in the 2000 block of Ogilvie Road. There were no injuries.