Fire destroys unoccupied chicken barn at Rose Acres’ Stuart location

A large structure fire Monday night destroyed a pullet barn at Rose Acres Farms in the 1000 block of Riverside Avenue, just west of Stuart.

When Stuart and Menlo fire crews arrived at 6:27 p.m., they observed a fully involved chicken barn with significant structural collapse to about three-quarters of the building. During the initial investigation, it was determined all buildings at the location were unoccupied and were not housing any chickens at the time, according to a press release from the Stuart Fire Department.

Command and water operations were established, and additional mutual aid departments responded — Dexter, Casey, Greenfield, Panora, Guthrie Center, Adair, Earlham and Redfield — as fireground operations began.

Numerous law enforcement agencies also assisted at the scene.

“The continued assistance provided by our neighboring departments is key to ensuring efficiency and the best possible outcomes in these emergency situations,” Stuart Fire Chief Stephen Martinson said. “We appreciate all outside resources for their continued support.”