Small fire destroys chicken coop near Valentine

VALENTINE, Neb. - A chicken coop is destroyed after a small fire east of Valentine. Firefighters were called to a property along Pine Heights Drive shortly before noon on Wednesday. The fire took place just east of the Niobrara River canyon near trees.

“We responded quickly. With the high winds, it helped that it was in a semi-protected area from the wind,” said Valentine Fire Chief Terry Engles.

Firefighters were on scene for around an hour. No injuries were reported, but authorities are still investigating the cause.

Winds were gusting to almost 40 mph around the time of the fire.