NATCHEZ — An early Monday morning fire at Gamberi Feed & Farm Supply, 2 Morgantown Road, could have been worse than it turned out to be, fire officials said.

Natchez Police Chief Ventris Green said someone noticed the fire and called 911 at approximately 5 a.m. Monday.

“Someone passing by was able to see it,” Green said. “That it happened at that time of the morning was a blessing because maybe at 2 or 3 in the morning it might have been a different outcome, but because it was close to 5 o’clock somebody was able to notice it.”

Firefighters were on the scene in minutes, Green said.

“The firefighters got in there and made a quick knock down,” Green said. “In about 15 minutes they had it knocked down.”

Green said investigation revealed the fire originated with a chicken incubator inside the store.

“It had a light hanging down, and it looks like the light bulb got some of the shavings in the incubator and caught on fire,” Green said. “The fire went up top, and it had a balloon frame, so the fire could not do much damage.”

Unfortunately, several chicks perished in the fire, Green said.

Because of the early call and the quick response, however, Green said, firefighters were able to save much of the store’s merchandise and the building.

“The firefighters did a great save,” Green said. “They have a lot of supplies and equipment in there and really none of it got destroyed. Other than that it really just destroyed some of the electrical cables and cords and a couple of (ceiling) tiles.”

Store co-owner and manager Chad Gamberi said he too was pleased with the firefighter’s response.

“The firefighters who came in here yesterday did a job like you would not believe,” Gamberi said. “They did not hurt anything. Usually, you would think water damage would be everywhere and be a big mess everywhere. These guys took care of business right there where it was and there was nothing to clean up. … They did an awesome job.”

As a result of the firefighters’ work, damage was minimal, Gamberi said, adding the building lost only a few light fixtures and ceiling tiles.

“It wasn’t any big deal,” Gamberi said. “We had a fire inside and it never went through the roof, a lot of smoke damage but we never missed a beat. Matter of fact, we were open for business before we usually open.”