Former Salem bird farm sees fourth fire in six months
Salem — Local and state fire marshals are investigating a fire at a former game bird farm, the fourth fire on the property in six months.
The fire, reported at 2:51 p.m. Tuesday, burned a 10-foot-long coop at the former Bourdeau's Pheasant Farm, 343 Old Colchester Road.
No animals were in the coop and there were no injuries, Gardner Lake Fire Department Deputy Chief John Cunningham said.
Last Wednesday, a fire destroyed much of a 75-foot-long bird coop on the property.
The property has been vacant for months.
"A neighbor could smell smoke and came over and investigated and found smoke coming from one of the buildings," Cunningham said. The neighbor then called 911.
The farm was formerly home to thousands of pheasants, quail and partridges, but closed after the death of owner Donald Bourdeau in September and his wife, Anne, in February.
Cunningham said the property is now in the hands of the probate court.
The farm does not have electricity and there are no chemicals on the site, Cunningham said.
Tuesday's fire triggered a mutual aid response by the Bozrah Fire Department and Colchester Fire Department.
Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.
