Pony killed as stable is destroyed by arsonists
POLICE are investigating after a pony died in a suspected arson attack on a block of stables.
Firefighters were called to Marple on Tuesday and it took them three hours to bring the flames under control.
It was later discovered a pony called Reuben had perished in the blaze.
Police and fire investigators suspect the blaze was started deliberately and spent hours combing the scene for clues with the help of sniffer dogs.
Owner of the stables, Kerry Pardon, said: “There is nothing left. Just a pile of ashes.”
APONY has died and a family business destroyed after a stable was torched in a suspected arson attack.
Firefighters from Marple, Offerton and Stockport were called to Winnington Road in Marple at around 1.25am on Tuesday after neighbours were woken by noise from the fire.
The blaze spread to several stable buildings and overhead power cables, and was so severe that it took fire crews three hours to bring under control.
The stables and outbuildings were destroyed and the roofs collapsed, while a pony, named Reuben, which was locked inside the stable for the night, died.
Police and fire investigators suspect the blaze was started deliberately and spent hours combing the scene for clues with the help of sniffer dogs.
Reuben belonged to Asa Howard and was ridden in competitions by his six- year-old sister Emily, who was saving up to buy the pony a new saddle.
Kerry Pardon, who owns the stables business with her husband Rob, had four other horses in the field who had been let out for the night and were unharmed.
One of their other horses, which usually spends the night in the devastated stable, was unwell and at the vets.
Kerry said: “There is nothing left. Just a pile of ashes.
“We’ve been here for two years and we’ve worked so hard to build this up.
“Now all we’re left with is ashes because of someone’s vile behaviour.
“Reuben was a bit of a Houdini, and he would escape, so he was locked in to protect him. Now we’ve lost him in the fire.”
Asa added: “Reuben was such a good pony, he would do anything you wanted him to.”
Engineers from Electricity North West were forced to cut the power supply to 1,090 homes to repair and restore damaged power overhead lines safely in the aftermath of the fire.
Most supplies were back on within 30 minutes, with five others reconnected by 7am.
Friends and neighbours have been rallying round to support the family and Reuben’s owners.
All of the stable’s equipment and supplies for the surviving horses were completely destroyed in the blaze.
Anyone who can help with equestrian supplies is asked to contact Kerry on 07799 687172.
Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact police on 101.