7,000 Baby Turkeys Killed in 3-Alarm Fire

The fire broke out at Bob's Turkey Farm on Old Common Road

Seven thousand baby turkeys being grown for Thanksgiving were killed Thursday in a 3-alarm fire in Lancaster, Massachusetts.

The fire broke out at Bob's Turkey Farm on Old Common Road.

"It went up like a matchstick, and it was gone," said Jennifer Miner, the daughter of owner Susan Miner.

The owners say a passerby alerted them to the flames just before 6 p.m.

"Someone drove in the yard really fast," said Susan Miner. "They said, 'You have a barn on fire.' I told my daughter to call 911 and come running down, but it was too late."

The birds were being raised to reach maturity in time for Thanksgiving.

"We lost 7,000 turkeys tonight in the fire," the farm announced on Facebook. "These numbers are devastating to all that we are and we will update you as we know more as far as our future in the community."

In a later statement they said, "Our birds live outdoors weather permitted ( which anyone in the neighborhood can attest to) but small birds such as the ones we lost have specific needs! - in addition, the loss is felt in many ways. We spend day in and day out feeding, watering, nurturing and growing these animals and to say we are jolted by the loss of so many lives is not enough. Our heart, soul and 3 generations are in this farm and how we are currently feeling is not able to be conveyed through texts."

The Massachusetts Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause of the fire, but it does not appear to be suspicious.

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