They didn’t have a hope... 15 horses die in barn blaze
FIFTEEN horses died and dozens were left traumatised after a blaze which police are treating as suspicious tore through an equestrian centre.
Members of the public helped to release some terrified animals from the burning 80ft barn before they were beaten back by the intense heat and acrid smoke.
The horses trapped inside were described as having ‘no hope’.
an investigation has been launched but police confirmed the fire was being treated as suspicious. Owners and riders fought back tears yesterday as they helped muck out nearby barns following the tragedy. animal lovers donated thousands of pounds to help replace lost equipment and cover urgent vets’ fees. Others handed over blankets, buckets and reins.
around 70 horses are kept at Elmwood Equestrian Centre in Maldon, Essex, where owners can rent stables. david shaw, 58, who runs the yard with owner anne hull, said he got a phone call at around 11.30pm on sunday night to say the main barn was alight.
he said: ‘ We let the animals in the adjoining sheds out to keep them safe and away from the fire and smoke inhalation but the ones in the shed that burned had no hope.’ People working at the centre yesterday expressed shock that an arsonist could have targeted the stables.
One rider said: ‘Everyone is hurting a lot at the moment. We’re just completely in shock at what’s happened and it’s not sunk in yet. I just don’t know who could have done something like this. how can they live with themselves?’
a woman who was mucking out a stable added: ‘It’s a lovely place to ride horses and it is so sad for everyone whose horses have died. no one could ever have a reason to do this. It’s heartbreaking.’
Essex Fire service refused to speculate last night about how the blaze started. seven crews raced to the scene after the fire was reported. Firefighter Craig McLellan said: ‘When firefighters arrived they found the fire was already well developed. The whole building was alight and the roof had collapsed. ‘Firefighters worked hard to tackle the fire and stop it from spreading to any other building. however, despite the best efforts of passers-by, who managed to save a number of horses from the building, some horses have tragically died.’ Crews were still damping down hotspots that threatened to reignite late into the morning. a crowdfunding page set up to raise £2,500 was approaching twice that amount yesterday afternoon. Its creator wrote: ‘speaking to people involved this morning is heartbreaking, watching the barn collapse knowing your beloved horses are there is unimaginable. ‘Therefore we have set up this Justgiving page to raise as much money as possible for the yard, in order to replace what has been lost, help towards shelters and even vets’ bills.’ nearby stables and equestrian centres urged people to visit the website and donate money or hand over items to help the horses that survived. rawreth Equestrian Centre in Wickford said: ‘Our thoughts and sympathy are with all those who tragically have lost their horse or pony at Elmwood last night.’ deanswood Equestrian Centre in Cressing added: ‘ absolutely devastating news to wake up to this morning.’ a posting on Elmwood Equestrian Centre’s Facebook page thanked everyone for their support. an Essex Police spokesman said: ‘The fire is being treated as suspicious and investigations are taking place to determine the cause.’