Massive fire kills 50,000 chickens at Limburg poultry farm

Approximately 50,000 chickens were killed early Saturday when a massive fire swept through a poultry farm in the Limburg village of Heibloem, NOS reports. The blaze, which began shortly after 5 a.m. in a manure storage area, reportedly quickly spread via a transport conveyor to a barn housing 300,000 animals, according to emergency services.

The fire broke out at a large laying hen operation believed to belong to a farmer named John, who recently appeared in the 14th season of the Dutch reality television show Boer zoekt Vrouw (Farmer is looking for a wife). Multiple barns were affected, but firefighters managed to prevent the flames from spreading to other stables that also housed chickens.

Firefighters responded with major equipment, including five fire engines and two aerial platforms, with units arriving from nearby Meijel and Roggel. Authorities described the incident as a “huge fire” that released heavy smoke. Residents were advised to keep windows and doors closed and to turn off automated ventilation systems to limit exposure to smoke and odor.

The fire also destroyed solar panels, scattering debris between the farm and the nearby holiday park De Leistert. Officials warned that panel fragments may be harmful to grazing animals and advised residents to handle any debris only while wearing gloves.

With 50,000 animals killed, the fire in Heibloem ranks among the worst barn fires in recent years. In 2024, more than 62,000 animals died in 42 barn fires across the Netherlands. The deadliest incident that year also involved a poultry farm, in Puiflijk, where 50,000 chickens perished.