On 24 April 2024, between 550,000 and 600,000 hens perished in the fire that broke out in three poultry houses at the Grupo Rujamar farm in San Lorenzo de la Parrilla (Cuenca), representing one quarter of the company’s total flock.
Rujamar’s Chief Executive, Rubén Martínez, stated to the media that the fire started at approximately 13:00 hours in the central house of the three that were ultimately gutted by the flames, which he described as the company’s most modern facilities, built in 2017, 2019 and 2020, with an estimated useful life of around thirty years.
Martínez estimated that between 550,000 and 600,000 hens were housed in those three buildings, all kept on floor systems, as he has declared himself a firm advocate of animal welfare, and specified that the birds died from smoke inhalation, in a “very rapid and very cruel” manner.
He also noted that the ten workers in the three houses were able to leave under their own power upon detecting the fire, and that only one sustained injuries after striking himself as he exited the house where he was working.
He further lamented that the fire spread rapidly, stating: “We have a complete safety system in place and there was not even time to connect a hose or anything, because the fire spread extremely fast. Within an hour all 3 houses were ablaze and in less than 3 hours, everything was reduced to ashes.”
He thus noted that the fire suppression system that had been installed proved insufficient to control the flames.
He also stated that, at present, the cause of the fire remains unknown, adding that the entire perimeter of the houses — the most modern on site, equipped with the latest technologies — is “completely controlled and completely clean”.
Rujamar’s Chief Executive sought to reassure his customers, pointing out that although around 600,000 hens have died, the company still has a further two million birds, and therefore affirmed that “barring any last-minute decision”, the supply chain will be maintained to ensure that eggs continue to reach their main customers.
He also noted that a great many industry colleagues had contacted him to offer eggs and “all kinds of support”.
Martínez also praised the “rapid response of the emergency services, both the Civil Guard and the fire brigade”, and stated that, while there is currently no risk of the fire spreading to other facilities, eight firefighters with three units remain on site to prevent the grading centre, offices, packaging warehouse and other laying houses from being affected.
“As a precaution, they have said they can stay on through the night if necessary,” Martínez stated.
As for his personal state, Martínez acknowledged that he is “holding together, but devastated.”
“This is my life, it is what I have done all my life, and ultimately life sets you challenges — this is just one more challenge to overcome, and there is no point in lamenting it,” reflected Martínez, who advocated “working hard, keeping a cool head and focusing on how to resolve this as quickly as possible and minimise the impact on the company.”
The Rujamar poultry group, founded in 1984 in San Lorenzo de la Parrilla (Cuenca), recorded a turnover of over 60 million euros in 2023, provides direct employment to 200 people and indirect employment to more than 400, and is regarded as a benchmark company in organic poultry farming and in animal welfare practices for laying hens.
Source: EFEAGRO