PrintUpdate: As of Sept. 8, the death toll has increased to 29.
A fire broke out on Monday morning in the barns across from the Charles Town Races in Ranson, W.V., killing 27 horses and destroying an estimated $1.2 million worth of property. The barns were privately owned by trainers Steve Spears and Freddy Johnson, and many of the stalls were leased by smaller operations. Most of the horses housed there were racehorses. No people were injured in the fire.
Emergency crews were alerted to the fire at 4:41 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 6, and emergency responders were successful in preventing the fire from spreading to buildings on the track property. Two barns were destroyed completely; 25 horses perished in the first, and two died in the second. One more barn was affected, but those horses were turned loose before the fire consumed the barns. All horses turned loose have since been accounted for, with two found safely at a 7-11 several blocks from the fire, according to NBC Washington.
The West Virginia fire marshal is determining the cause of the fire, but arson is not suspected at this time. The two barns that were completely destroyed by the fire were made of wood and housed hay and straw in addition to the horses. None had sprinkler systems.
Horses affected by the fire have been moved to an unused barn on the property. Donations are being raised through the Charles Town Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. To help, please contact Patty or Barb at the HBPA office by calling 304-725-1535.
Charles Town made no changes to its race card and was open for business on Monday.
