Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Community pitches in following fire
Nearly $10K raised within 48 hours to support family after barn fire that killed 2 horses
POCOPSON >> A deadly equestrian fire on Sunday at the Deneno Farm has united people to help the victims recover.
As of press time for the print deadline of this report, an online community-driven GoFundMe campaign had raised $9,553 to the cause, with 161 donors contributing. The fundraising goal is $10,000.
On Sunday, the National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning across Southeastern Pennsylvania warning people that the weather conditions were dry and windy, which can cause fires to develop quickly and increase in communities rapidly.
Several regional hardwood supply companies have offered donations including Chester Countybased company Fenceworks of Spring City.
Sean Trout, owner of Fenceworks, reached out to the Deneno family to offer his assistance.
“I just wanted to help in any way we could,” Trout said on Wednesday. He met with the Deneno family and neighbors on Tuesday to join the effort to re
build shelter and a space of protection, fencing, for the surviving thoroughbreds.
Trout is returning to the property on Wawaset Farm Lane this Friday to help secure one of the new paddocks for the surviving horses.
Fencework is donating flipboard for new fencing, a couple of gates, and the company is also providing equipment to conduct clearing work of the ruins from the Sunday’s fire as well as to help build the new fencing.
Of the rallying by the community to support the Deneno family and their horses, Trout said, “It’s not surprising to me. It’s a tight-knit community, especially the horse community. We do a lot of work in the horse community and everyone tends to look out for each other. So, no, it’s not surprising.”
“The rapid response to this tragedy is emblematic of the generous spirit of our community,” said State Rep. Craig Williams, R-160th, of Chadds Ford on March 17. “It’s heartening to see so many give of themselves, particularly in these challenging times, to support those who’ve experienced a misfortune.”
Longwood Fire Company Chief A.J. McCarthy, who commanded the scene on March 14, said two people were transported to the hospital on Sunday.
They were later released. One of these individuals was property owner Don Deneno. He raced into the historic barn which was home at the time to nine retired racehorses and successfully rescued seven horses from the deadly blaze. Tragically, two stallions died in the fire before he could safely reach them.
On Sunday, the fire, which began just before noon at 27 Wawaset Farm Lane in Pocopson Township, took several hours to contain as winds blew the flames across the property causing many brush fires. The incident brought more than 100 firefighters and first aid responders to the scene to help.
The vast majority of the emergency responders are volunteers, people willing to leave their families and work obligations behind on Sunday to make a difference and help their neighbors and community. Thank you quote “Almost all of these guys (and gals) are volunteers. Without them, the area wouldn’t be safe,” McCarthy said. “For our department, we’re a combination department so we do have career firefighters and volunteers that work hand-inhand.”
He said, “A majority of those guys and girls … were doing this for free, so they gave away their Sundays and time away from their families. It’s a good thing to have those people.”
He also praised the Chester County 911 dispatchers who worked on Sunday to help with the emergency response effort in Pocopson Township.
“It made our job a lot easier because they were really on top of their game,” McCarthy said of the dispatchers. “They did a superb job.”
Of the conditions on Sunday, McCarthy said: “We do get Red Flag Warnings quite a few times a year.” He urged people to pay attention to when those warnings are issued.
There were several fires on Sunday and Monday due to the dry conditions. “We anticipate Red Flag Warnings being busy days for us,” McCarthy said.
Six to eight acres of brush fire occurred at the property and four acres of forest burned, McCarthy told the Daily Local News on Monday.
“This is a truly inspiring show of solidarity in response to tragedy, and this is what Chester County is about and what we stand for in this community,” said State Senator John Kane, D9th, of Birmingham.
“I want to thank the first responders who were immediately on the scene, and everyone in the community who has stood together in support since Sunday,” the senator said. “I’m so proud, as always, to be a member and representative of this community.”
Neighbor Nicole Henwood launched the online campaign to support her neighbors, she said in a Facebook post shortly after the incident occurred on Sunday. She was unavailable for comment as of press time.
“He had nine retired racehorses, unfortunately now he only has seven, two didn’t make it out. He was burned … trying to get his horses out,” Henwood said on social media. “He now has seven traumatized horses, no lead ropes — some didn’t have halters on. All hay, straw buckets, feed tack were lost.”
The surviving horses, she said, were taken to the New Bolton Center in West Marlborough Township.
“However, they have no supplies, food or sheds,” Henwood said of the farmstead.
“Their fences have been destroyed from all the traffic in and out and some areas from the fire itself,” Henwood said in a public post on Facebook. “We need to raise enough to give these guys a shed and a secure fence while their home is rebuilt.”
And the community has heard this plea.
Besides emergency financial support, people are donating supplies.
Chester County is home to a prestigious equestrian community and Henwood made an appeal to them. “If anyone has extra things they aren’t using it would be amazing if we could come together.”
She invited the community invited to drop off supplies for the horses and family inside bins within a tented area at 9 Lian Drive in West Chester.
Three of the largest donations of the fundraising campaign include $500 from Farmhouse Fresh, $250 from La Mia Pizzeria and $250 from Andrea Herr.
A score of charitable giving was made by anonymous donors and from couples and individuals who live across Southern Chester County.
Constance Carter, who donated $100, said: “So sorry to hear about this, and especially the two horses who didn’t make it. But it was amazing seven others did — thanks to a loving, caring human,” she said of Don Deneno. Dana Lee also donated. “I myself have horses and a barn fire is my worst fear,” Lee said. “I would like to think that people would help me if I were in this horrible situation. I’m just glad that the owner, tenants, and most of the horses are OK.”
Lee continued, “My heart goes out to the two horses that were lost. The owner, Don, is a hero in my eyes for putting his own safety in jeopardy by running into the fire to rescue as many horses as he could. My heart goes out to him for his losses.”
She added, “May God bless all.”
The Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshall is working in conjunction with the Pennsylvania State Police to investigate the cause of the deadly equestrian fire.
To donate in support of the family and the recovery and well-being of the surviving retired racehorses, visit: https://gofund.me/ b309b327.