Published: July 09, 2008 10:35 pm      

12,000 chickens lost in Rocky Face fire

A fire early Wednesday morning destroyed a chicken house on Bridges Road in Rocky Face, killing approximately 12,000 chickens, said Whitfield County Fire Chief Carl Collins.

Firefighters were called to 929 Bridges Road around 7:30 a.m. and found the 40-by-50 foot house engulfed in flames. No one was hurt.

The cause of the fire was undetermined Wednesday evening but Collins said it was believed to have been caused by an electrical problem.

The estimated loss was $264,000. Firefighters were able to save three other chicken houses on the property, Collins said.

Laura Manley, who owns the property with her husband, Eston, said the family has been raising chickens there since 1963.