Chickens Killed in Huntley Chicken Coop Fire

Blaze damages two other buildings near Huntley on Saturday

Mar. 30, 2026 at 8:34pm

A vast, atmospheric landscape painting in muted tones of gray, blue, and orange, with a faint outline of a damaged structure barely visible in the distance, conveying the overwhelming, sublime scale of the natural world in the wake of a disaster.The aftermath of a devastating fire casts a somber, melancholic mood over the rural landscape near Huntley.Huntley Today

A fire broke out on Saturday afternoon in Huntley, Illinois, fully engulfing a chicken coop and causing damage to two other nearby buildings. Firefighters responded to the scene and were able to contain the fire, but several chickens were killed in the incident. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the McHenry County Sheriff's Office and Huntley fire investigators.

Why it matters

Chicken coops and small agricultural structures are common in rural areas around Huntley, and fires in these types of buildings can pose a risk to nearby homes and properties. This incident highlights the importance of fire safety and prevention measures for residents with livestock or outbuildings on their properties.

The details

Firefighters arrived to find a small-sized outbuilding structure, described as a chicken coop, fully involved in fire. The chicken coop was approximately six feet from two other buildings, described as small sheds. Firefighters quickly pulled a hose line and contained the fire to the building of origin, with only minor exterior damage to the two adjacent buildings.

  • The Huntley Fire Protection District and McHenry County Sheriff's Office responded around 1:05 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, 2026.
  • The fire was declared out at 1:30 p.m. on the same day.

The players

Huntley Fire Protection District

The local fire department that responded to and contained the fire.

McHenry County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that is investigating the cause of the fire along with the Huntley fire investigators.

Todd Penkava

The Huntley Fire Protection District Acting Battalion Chief who provided details about the incident.

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What’s next

The McHenry County Sheriff's Office and Huntley fire investigators will continue to investigate the cause of the fire.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder for rural residents around Huntley to be vigilant about fire safety and prevention, especially when it comes to outbuildings and livestock. Proper maintenance and precautions can help mitigate the risk of similar fires in the future.