A LARGE number of turkey chicks have died in a huge barn fire at a Cheshire farm.

At the height of the incident, nine fire engines and an aerial ladder platform were used to tackle the blaze at Aston, near Frodsham.

The fire broke out in a single storey shed measuring approximately 40 metres by 20 metres, shortly after 4.30pm on Sunday, July 17.

Crews split the building into sections to deal with the fire.

Northwich Guardian: Firefighters battled to stop a fierce farm fire spreading to adjoining unitsFirefighters battled to stop a fierce farm fire spreading to adjoining units

However, the shed suffered a partial collapse.

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Firefighters cooled an adjacent shed and three nearby gas tanks to prevent them from overheating and igniting.

Northwich Guardian: Crews prevented the fierce blaze igniting three nearby gas tanksCrews prevented the fierce blaze igniting three nearby gas tanks

Crews stayed at the scene all night.

An investigation has taken place and the fire is believed to have started accidentally.

Northwich Guardian: Firefighters remained at the scene all night damping downFirefighters remained at the scene all night damping down

A spokesman for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Firefighters remain in place on Monday morning and are using an aerial ladder platform to dampen down any hotspots.

“The unit involved in the fire housed a large number of turkey chicks, and despite the best efforts of firefighters and site staff, who worked together to save a large number of the chicks, not all were able to be saved and sadly died in the fire.”