Fire at Springfield Horse Barn, Possible Arson

Firefighters ready their hoses as the fire rages on.
Photo: Google Images

SPRINGFIELD - An arsonist may have started a horse barn fire that killed fifteen horses and sent others stampeding here this morning, a day before the opening of racing season.

Thirteen thoroughbred horses and two saddle horses and two saddle horses are dead.

Ten horses escaped the fire, two of them running through the barnyard with their backs on fire.

Only charred wooden supports are left standing after the barn burned for eight hours.

The fire exploded near the center of the barn, Fire Chief Bernard Pery said, and fire officials are considering arson in their investigation.

Barn employees were visibly shaken.

Jockey Albert Ramos was emotional as he watched crews clean up the barn. 

“I feel like I want to cry,” he said, as he began to fill up with tears while gazing at the barn.

The start of racing season at the track has been postponed indefinitely according the the assistant track manager Leroy Jenkins.