I wondered why the girl who witnessed the sparks at the electric pole did not call 911 right away? I am inclined to believe the fire started there and spread. In a barn, like in a house, there are so many things that could be called “accelerants”.
I hope the horses are recovering well.
:(As I read this my heart goes out to ALL involved. God Speed and thankfully no humans were loss.
I can not imagine how or what the owners or trainers are going thru now .
[QUOTE=AUeventer;5085140]
Its funny how cats survive these things. My boarding barn burnt down when I was 16 and thankfully we lost no horses. The cat was found just as the one above was described. Singed hair and whiskers, burnt paws. I will never forget the image of one of the firefighters, covered in soot and probably having a difficult time breathing himself, cradling that cat and holding an oxygen mask over its little nose…[/QUOTE]
That image of a firefighter saving a cat just made me tear up. :sadsmile:
This entire situation is so heartbreaking. All of my old stuff is at my mother’s house; if I can get to it soon, I’d be more than happy to send some lead ropes, halters and what-not. I’m sure someone has taken the cat in the picture, but if not, DH said we could bring another into the “herd”.
Today’s Articles from the Frederick News Post:
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=109668
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=109666
The whole thing just breaks my heart.
Another Link to a news broadcast. I was holding back tears watching.
http://www.tbd.com/articles/2010/09/horses-killed-in-fire-near-charles-town-races-8358.html
The current count has risen to 29.
Two more bodies were found during clean up.
Some rescued horses are still potentially in jeopardy due to pnemonia from smoke inhalation
THERE HAS BEEN NO ARSON CONFESSION and NO ALLEGATIONS.
Of course there were positive hits by arson sniffing dogs, alcohol by the gallons, Iodine, leg paints hoof dressing…and there was no gasoline leaf blower…the aisles were shavings and dirt RAKED not blown.
Yes there was a propane grill outside one barn that did blew during fire …not before. No one was using it.
IF you do not have 100% prof positive don’t post it.
I am talking right now with a trainer on the scene who has spoken with Fire Marshall and Police.
Breathe JBRP…
[QUOTE=judybigredpony;5088180]
The current count has risen to 29.
Two more bodies were found during clean up.
Some rescued horses are still potentially in jeopardy due to pnemonia from smoke inhalation
THERE HAS BEEN NO ARSON CONFESSION and NO ALLEGATIONS.
Of course there were positive hits by arson sniffing dogs, alcohol by the gallons, Iodine, leg paints hoof dressing…and there was no gasoline leaf blower…the aisles were shavings and dirt RAKED not blown.
Yes there was a propane grill outside one barn that did blew during fire …not before. No one was using it.
IF you do not have 100% prof positive don’t post it.
I am talking right now with a trainer on the scene who has spoken with Fire Marshall and Police.[/QUOTE]
Technically, everything is hearsay–the only 100% positive proof is someone seeing it with their own eyes, then posting it on here…even your getting information third hand (fire dp - trainer - you)…just sayin…
Technically, everything is hearsay–the only 100% positive proof is someone seeing it with their own eyes, then posting it on here…even your getting information third hand (fire dp - trainer - you)…just sayin…
I am saying do not start rumers about ARSON until the fire marshall and police investigators have done their job.
Its heart wrenching enough to loose all your horses and equipment let alone dwell on the notion it was deliberate.
My information is from on the scene eye witness who walked the ground zero w/ the identifying vet.
The Police information and Fire Marshall information is not
3rd party gossip.
But those alleging to Arson and a confession…gasoline leaf blowers, people grilling at 4:30 AM on gas grill now thats gossip specualtion and delusional.
All positive hits by Accelerant Sniffing Dogs has been sent out to Labs for analysis.
This is not hearsay gossip.
I’ve been away for several day, just seeing this heartbreaking news. Goodspeed to all those wonderful TB’s who were lost and my heartfelt condolonces to all of their connections.
I lived through a barn fire as a kid im MA. Its every horseman’s worst nightmare.
Please donate if you can. As Tux said, its a devastating thing to overcome, emotionally and financially. Many of the trainers, grooms, and ownders affected have probably lost a pretty hefty portion of both their property (tack, etc.), as well as their source of revenue.
Judy, I was NOT gossiping, my husband has been in those barns, but I do believe he may have been thinking of the pool. I only mentioned that because of the positive hits on the accelerents, not that someone would intentionally use it to start a fire.
Eviction
Is it true that eviction notices were handed out to the horses…displaced by the fire?
Citing temporary barn unsafe?
So sad to see horses lose their lives as well as the effects on the trainers and owners. Does anyone have any idea when the police and fire marshall will complete their investigation? I’m sure many of those suffering would like to know what caused this horrible tragedy.
this is SO horrible
prayers for everyone involved
Update
Just a happy update: I just started half-leasing a cute TB gelding whose racing name was Pop’s Boy. He’s 12, Maryland bred, raced 34 times and won over $100K. He’s bounced around a bit in the last few years, but according to a prior owner, he was one of the survivors of this fire!
His owner (pictured) and I are bringing him back into work after some time standing in field, hoping to do a little dressage, hunter paces, lower level jumpers, lots of trail riding. He’s gaining weight and fitness very quickly – here’s a pic of him with his owner from a CT at the end of June:
There’s no mark of any kind on him, and he’s a very steady guy. I remembered the awful story, but thought you all would like to hear that one of these horses has had a soft landing.
Wonderful news!
That’s great!
[QUOTE=Lori B;7702905]
Just a happy update: I just started half-leasing a cute TB gelding whose racing name was Pop’s Boy. He’s 12, Maryland bred, raced 34 times and won over $100K. He’s bounced around a bit in the last few years, but according to a prior owner, he was one of the survivors of this fire!
His owner (pictured) and I are bringing him back into work after some time standing in field, hoping to do a little dressage, hunter paces, lower level jumpers, lots of trail riding. He’s gaining weight and fitness very quickly – here’s a pic of him with his owner from a CT at the end of June:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/10489053_788262657860164_780629037_n.jpg?oh=90c0fd52c71e247d7aa65b0b3d7dcaad&oe=53E5B99A&gda=1407556999_0e68d47b49968cd04d13d5d3ff0a353f
There’s no mark of any kind on him, and he’s a very steady guy. I remembered the awful story, but thought you all would like to hear that one of these horses has had a soft landing.[/QUOTE]
That is a nice thing to hear after that horrible fire. Congratulations on your new lease!
I could not get the link to work which is too bad because I would love to see a picture.
This should work:
[/B]Thanks for the well-wishes. Jack (we call him Jack) is a smart athletic guy who is so far one of those horses who tries hard and improves with every ride and every little thing we do for him. This week we got around to having his teeth floated, and he’s responded great. Likewise for everything we work on – standing to mount, balancing transitions, etc. Class all the way.
I would add also that this pic is about 6 weeks ago, and he’s gained a fair bit of weight and condition even since then.
Took Jack (Pop’s Boy) to a hunter show last weekend, and he was a very good boy. Pics!
Geez, that’ll teach me to look at the post dates! I was all worked up thinking this just happened!
