JACKSON, Wyo. — A structure fire that demolished a barn last week was likely caused by a dislodged heat lamp that ignited combustibles on the floor, Fire Marshal Kathy Clay determined.
The fire burned the barn and killed a chicken off of South Park Loop Ranch Road last week. The barn was used for storage and a section was used for a chicken run with a chicken coop.
Investigating a structure so completely consumed by fire makes investigating the cause hard, Clay said. But she said that the chickens likely dislodged a heating lamp while settling in for the night to roost.
“If you have a chicken coop, be sure all heat lamps are very secure and cannot be knocked loose,” Clay said in a press release. “Heating units to keep water from freezing should be plugged directly into outlets.”
Eight of the nine chickens survived the fire, according to a recent report from the homeowners to the Fire Department. One chicken died.
Fire/EMS crews were able to keep the fire from extending into a nearby structure, but the barn was deemed a total loss.
