(Stuart, IA) – The Stuart and Menlo Fire Departments responded at around 6:20-p.m. Monday, to a structure fire at Rose Acre Farms in rural Stuart, at 1064 Riverside Avenue. The flames were easily visible by motorists on Interstate 80 and elsewhere in the area.

According to a statement issued early this (Tuesday) morning by Stuart Fire Chief Stephen Martinson, crews arrived on the scene shortly after the call was dispatched, and found a fully involved chicken barn with significant structural collapse to three-quarters of the building, which was unoccupied and did not house any chickens at the time of the fire.

Chief Martinson went on to say “Unified command and water operations were established and additional mutual aid was requested,” with crews from Dexter, Casey, Greenfield, Panora, Guthrie Center, Adair Earlham and Redfield all responding to the scene and quickly began fire/ground operations.

Midwest Partnership EDC Facebook page photo – Rose Acre Farms fire 1/5/26

In total, 10 fire departments from Guthrie, Adair and Dallas Counties responded to the call for service, along with law enforcement personnel. Chief Martinson said “Continued assistance provided from our neighbor departments is key to ensuring efficiency and best possible outcomes in these emergency situations. We appreciated all outside resources for their continued support.”

The statement did not say what caused the fire or a dollar amount of the damage. The incident remained under investigation.

Rose Acre Farms is the second-largest egg producer in the U.S. and has several locations across the country, according to the company’s website.