Editor’s Update (3 June 2026): Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed that the fire which destroyed a chicken shed near Checkley was caused by an electrical fault. The original article has been amended to reflect the findings.
Firefighters were called to a large agricultural fire at a chicken shed on Checkley Lane, Checkley, shortly after 6am on 29 May, with the alarm raised at 06:25. The blaze took hold of an empty building of approximately four acres in size and caused a significant emergency response from services across the region.
Ten fire engines attended the scene, drawn from stations including Audlem, Crewe (two appliances), Nantwich, Middlewich, Congleton, Malpas, Macclesfield and Winsford. Crews from Market Drayton in neighbouring Shropshire also crossed the county boundary to assist, alongside a rapid response rescue unit from Nantwich and a high volume pump.
The fire observed by local residents, and the extensive damage to the chicken shed.
Firefighters tackled the blaze externally using multiple hose reels and main jets, working to prevent the fire from spreading further across the site. Given the scale of the building and the ferocity of the flames, the operation required considerable resources from the outset.
By 08:15 the tactical approach had intensified further, with crews deploying main jets, ground monitors, and a high-reach extendable turret to direct water onto the burning structure from multiple angles. An aerial ladder platform from Chester also arrived to provide additional water capability from height, giving commanders greater flexibility in attacking the blaze across its upper reaches.
A large smoke plume rising from the site was visible across a wide area, prompting dozens of concerned calls to the fire service control room. By 08:00, controllers were issuing a message urging members of the public not to call in if they could see the smoke, reassuring them that crews were fully aware and already engaged at the scene.
The shed is understood to have been unoccupied at the time of the fire, and there were no reports of any casualties. The cause of the blaze was later established to have been caused by an electrical fault according to Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.
The smoke seen from the open countryside
(Photo: David Smith: 29 May 2026 08:10)
Timeline of Events
09:35 - Firefighters remain on scene at the chicken shed fire on Checkley Lane, Checkley, more than three hours after the incident was first reported at 06:25 this morning. Crews are making good progress, with two hose reel jets now being used to extinguish the blaze and prevent further spread.
10:30 - Firefighters continue to tackle the blaze at Checkley Lane, Checkley, now into its fourth hour. The incident has been sectorised, allowing crews to manage different areas of the four-acre site independently. Hose reel jets remain in use, and a drone is being deployed to monitor the scale of the fire from above.
12:00 - Firefighters are continuing to battle the blaze at Checkley Lane, Checkley, now approaching six hours since the alarm was first raised. The High Reach Extending Turret (HRET) Scorpion has been brought into use, spraying water onto the fire from above. A water shuttle has also been established to ensure a steady supply of water to crews at the scene.
13:15 - The operation is entering a new phase, with the incident now partially scaled back and some fire appliances leaving the scene. The High Reach Extending Turret (HRET) remains in use, continuing to damp down hotspots within the building. The fire, which broke out at 06:25 this morning, has now been burning for nearly seven hours.
Statement From the Scene
A major incident was declared at the height of the blaze, although this has since been stood down as crews made progress throughout the day.
Area Manager Aaron Collis, of Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "At approximately 06:30am, firefighters were called to a significant fire at an empty chicken shed in Checkley. At the height of the incident, ten fire engines from across Cheshire, with support from Staffordshire and Shropshire, alongside a range of specialist appliances, were in attendance.”
"Thanks to the coordinated efforts of all emergency service personnel involved, good progress has been made throughout the day, and the incident has now been partially scaled back. We are continuing to work with the owners of the site to ensure operations can continue safely. We would like to thank local residents for their patience and cooperation while the smoke has remained visible in the area. Anyone nearby is advised to continue keeping doors and windows closed if affected by smoke."
A joint investigation with Cheshire Constabulary into the cause of the fire will be commenced in due course, the fire service confirmed.