STUART, Iowa (AP) — Authorities in west central Iowa say several fire departments were called in to help battle a blaze at an egg production facility. The Adair County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the Wednesday afternoon fire at Rose Acre Farms in Stuart.Chief Operating Officer Tony Wesner says all company staff has been accounted for, and the fire was contained to one building at 2650 350th Road, about 40-miles west of Des Moines.The building was a total loss.
Officials say the fire’s origin is unknown at this time. Rose Acres say they will contact their insurance carrier for assistance in investigating the fire origin. The building did not contain any chickens and had been empty for several days. It was scheduled to be filled in the next couple of days. Normally the building would have housed approximately 120,000 chickens.
Fire Departments from Stuart, Casey, Guthrie Center, Panora and Greenfield responded to assist the Menlo Fire Department in battling the blaze. Emergency Medical Services personnel from Stuart Rescue and Panora EMS were on hand to provide rehabilitation for the firefighters and assist in case anyone was injured. Traffic control at the scene was provided by the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Department and the Stuart Police Department.
Rose Acre Farms has 16 facilities in six states.