Over 26,000 turkeys die Wednesday in Renville County barn fire

Over 26,000 young turkeys died early Wednesday morning when a barn burned in Renville County.

On August 18, at about 1:21 a.m., the Renville County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a fire in a turkey barn about two and a half miles north of Morton, in Beaver Falls Township. The barn, at 33222 695th Avenue, is owned by Willmar  Poultry Company.  

The Morton, Franklin, Olivia, Danube and Redwood Falls Fire Departments were  dispatched to the scene, along with the Morton MRU and CentraCare Ambulance.

When firefighters arrived, the barn was fully engulfed in flames. Fire  crews worked to save the structure but the barn eventually collapsed, and is considered a total loss. About 26,500 young turkeys perished in the fire.  

The Renville County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the cause and origin of the  fire along with the State Fire Marshal’s Office.