Animals die in barn fire near Townsend

TOWNSEND, DELAWARE (5/2/2016) Several chickens and rabbits were killed when fire swept through a barn south of Townsend this morning, authorities said.

The fire was reported at 9:52 a.m. in the 1600 block of Harvey Straughn Road, near Blackbird Forest.

Townsend firefighters arrived to find flames engulfing the two-story wood-frame building, said Michael G. Chionchio, assistant state fire marshal.

Investigators are trying to determine how the fire started, Chionchio said.

Damage was estimated at $20,000. No injuries were reported.