CHURCHVILLE, MD — Early Saturday morning, a fire originating from a chicken coop at 8 Asbury Road resulted in minor property damage but no human injuries. Owners James and Jean Nausbaum discovered the fire, which was caused accidentally by a heat lamp.
The blaze, which extended to two adjacent tarp-covered structures, was quickly contained by the Level Volunteer Fire Company within 10 minutes. A total of 22 chickens and chicks survived the incident, housed in a separate run. Unfortunately, a guinea pig perished in the fire.
The estimated loss from the incident amounts to $5,000, covering both the structure and contents. The Nausbaums attempted to extinguish the fire using a garden hose before firefighters arrived.