More than 26,000 turkeys perish in fire near Morton

Authorities say more than 26,000 young turkeys perished in a barn fire near Morton early Wednesday morning.

The fire was reported just before 1:30 a.m. at 33222 695th Ave in Beaver Falls Township, about 2.5 miles north of Morton.  The property is owned by Willmar Poulty Company.

Fire departments from Morton, Franklin, Olivia, Danube, and Redwood Falls arrived on the scene to discover the barn was fully engulfed in flames.

A press release from the Renville County Sheriff’s Office says efforts were made to save the structure, but the building eventually collapsed.  The barn is considered a total loss, according to the release.

The sheriff’s office says approximately 26,500 young turkeys died in the fire.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the state fire marshal’s office and Renville County Sheriff’s investigators.