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More than 100,000 chickens killed in egg farm fire, authorities say

YORK SPRINGS, Pa. -- Authorities say more than 100,000 chickens died in a fire that destroyed a barn at a Pennsylvania commercial egg farm. 

The blaze at Hillandale Farms in Tyrone Township was reported around 5:45 a.m. Saturday. Tyrone is about 29 miles southwest of Harrisburg. 

Volunteer firefighter Joe Robinson tweeted a photo of the blaze, which shows smoke billowing in the distance. 

A Heidlersburg Fire Company captain said flames were visible above the roof of the 600-foot barn by the time fire crews arrived.

Crews concentrated on keeping the blaze from spreading to other buildings. Three firefighters were treated at the scene, two for dehydration and one for a laceration.

The fire chief said adjacent chicken houses were undamaged and the animals unharmed. The burned building was destroyed.

Officials said the cause of the fire is still under investigation. It's believed to have been accidental.

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