12 horses lost in fire

[Edgar]

This was horrible in a barn down the road from us. They lost all of the best show horses including their own breeding/reigning stallion their daughters horse and 10 clients horses.
A wake up call to check your wiring and put a smoke alarm in the barn. I know I am.

http://www.kcra.com/news/18547102/detail.html

[Evalee Hunter]

At least thread *three* on this topic - been posted for days.

[Edgar]

Well it happened yesterday morning, did not see it here... sorry

[password]

Thanks for posting Edgar. I didn't see the other ones.

[ise@ssl]

We almost lost one of our horses when he was at a training center and it was struck by massive lightening and the whole place burned to the ground.

A little advice. If you don't leave halters on your horses - make sure you can GET TO THEM. Make sure LEADLINES ARE NEAR THE DOORWAY.

Since our experience I always have halters and leadlines in my truck and it came in handy when there was a fire at another barn near us.

[FriesianX]

We almost lost one of our horses when he was at a training center and it was struck by massive lightening and the whole place burned to the ground.

A little advice. If you don't leave halters on your horses - make sure you can GET TO THEM. Make sure LEADLINES ARE NEAR THE DOORWAY.

Since our experience I always have halters and leadlines in my truck and it came in handy when there was a fire at another barn near us.


In a situation like this fire (the one Edgar posted about), there was no getting to the horses. The fire hit in the middle of the night, it hit fast, hot, and hard. No one could get into the barn or anywhere near it. The trainer was a big name, reputable trainer, I'd guess there were halters and leads available, but this assumes you can actually get into the barn. Just being able to open stall doors and chase horses OUT can help - but only if you can safely get into the barn to start with.

When we put up our barn, we went with a metal barn - it is quite a bit safer, although not as pretty. Our insurance company said the cost to insure metal was 1/2 the price of wood - barn fires are apparently pretty common :eek:

[mmt]

Yes, not as pretty, but especially if you are going to have hay in the barn and lots of wiring, metal is safer than wood to give more time. Also good to put in grounding rods in case of lightning strikes, smoke alarms and fire extinguishers.

I always wonder why more really top barns don't have water fire suppression systems installed.

[Signature]

That is so sad! :(

When we built our new place we built our barns with Dutch doors on the outside for this exactly reason. Then, you don't have to go inside the barn to get the horses and can just let them out the side. Even if you have to let a few loose if you can't get to their halters, it would be better than them burning up!

I wonder how much a fire suppression system would be for a barn?

[ise@ssl]

Well the issue of metal over wood really realates to where you are in the US. Metal barns here in the northeast are like walk in freezers in the winter and ovens in the summer. And fire supression systems here require a system that won't freeze.

I'm sorry for the owners losses - a barn fire is something you just never get over. I'm paranoid everytime a neighbor has a fire in their fireplace and I smell smoke.

[Pippin]

Dutch doors would not have been any help ... the fire was TO HOT to even stand close to it..

All one could do is stand from a safe distance and watch... the fire fighters could only try to make sure the other structures would not ignite... Which they did save..

Doug has two barns... the wooden one in front.. and a metal barn in back..

just sad times... one he will never forget ...

P~

[buschkn]

That is just awful. Everyone's biggest fear. :(

[Signature]

I suppose early warning is the only hope in getting them out, since like you said, the heat produced keeps you far at bay once it's gained strength.

So sorry for those who lost. :(

[Waterwitch]

Just being able to open stall doors and chase horses OUT can help - but only if you can safely get into the barn to start with.


When I was in high school the stable where I boarded my eventer caught fire after dark and several of the horses died because they either panicked and wouldn't leave their stalls or they ran back into the burning barn because that is where they felt safe. I still have nightmares about that night.

Jingling for those connected to this disaster.

[Bellfleur]

This is horrible to hear about!! There but for the grace of God go we.

Many heart felt condolences to owners and trainers.

We did not store any hay upstairs but only due to the huge bales I was using not because we knew better. I will never store hay in the same barn as the horses now though. I will have the wiring checked yearly and a fire inspection from the fire marshal each year too. My barn was metal outside but only because of a mistake on the part of the barn builder. I had wanted wood since it was so much prettier and I thought warmer in the winter. The metal was up when I returned from FL and I did not want my builder to have to spend the extra to replace it (which he offered to at his cost)! I just said OH well it looks nice enough. Thank God I said that because in our recent fire if the barn had been wooden it would not have still been standing now! We would have lost everything too.

Sometimes there is just nothing to be done. My next barn will be stone or brick though!!

[showjumpers66]

Our metal sided pole barn burned very quickly after a lightening strike. My husband was able to get in as we were realized that there was a fire within 15 minutes of the strike, but he only had minutes since the fire was burning so hot. The stall walls were already on fire and the handles had melted and the halters/lead ropes hanging on the stalls were burning. All of the tools were hanging on the back wall which was engulfed in flames. We had several fire extinguishers, but they were absolutely worthless. Our barn was built with dutch doors to each stall, but that would only benefit if the fire was found within 15 minutes of starting. It would also be very difficult to get a horse out the opening with the stall walls framing the door frame burning. It is amazing how fast it happens. The fire department was there within 10 minutes of our call, but there was nothing that they could do.

[FriesianX]

NO MORE FIRE STORIES, you guys are giving me NIGHTMARES :eek: One of the local Metro Fire guys is actually working on a barn fire supression system - and this story just gave him a kick-start...

[MagicRoseFarm]

this is everyone's worst nightmare, very sorry for their loss...

[Maddie]

A horse owners worst nightmare. My condolences to all involved.

[aurum]

What a horrible thing to happen. I am glad the German barns are most of the time built with brick. Mine are all stone and still fear when there is a thunderstorm with lots of lightning.

Let the horses out is good to say but to where, the mares, foals, youngsters can all run in the fields not a problem I would think, but what about all the stallions? They cannot run into the fields with the others or we would face terrible fights. That is always my fear.

[YankeeLawyer]

Well the issue of metal over wood really realates to where you are in the US. Metal barns here in the northeast are like walk in freezers in the winter and ovens in the summer. .

We have a steel Morton barn with an insulated roof; insulating the roof makes all the difference in the world. The temp in the barn is always far better than whatever the outside temp is (i.e., barn is cooler in summer, warmer in winter). Everyone who visits comments on it.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good smoke detector for a barn? I looked into putting ones in the barn but was told that ordinary barn dust sets them off all the time.

[vtwmbld]

OMG Edgar, I hadn't heard of that and now I'm shaking in my boots. How terrible for all involved. The idea of a metal barn is great, except that our barn already exists and it's wood. I'm getting the wiring checked right away, but there is always that fear of the unthinkable. My heart really goes out to people who suffer such an experience.

[Ainsley]

Hearing about things like this always makes my heart race. How very sad for everyone :(

Condolences to all the people who lost animals in this fire.

[cowboylogic]

A company in NJ makes a fire detection and suppression system. It is called Stillwell-Hansen. I think their ads say prices for the systems begin at $3,000...A very small price to pay if it helps prevent a tragedy. They are a big company that does a lot of other things, but the owner is a horse person.

[sid]

I absolutely cringe whenever I see a post about a barn fire. It has to be a horse owners' latent nightmare.

Interestly, I've noticed that most barn fires I've seen on this BB happen in winter. Perhaps all circuits are on overload during the cooler months...I don't know.

It really doesn't matter the material your barn is made of -- even metal will become engulfed if you do not religously remove fire hazards. A few dont's: people who smoke in the barn or nearby, keeping the coffee pot on in the tack room for too long, not running your electical lines in metal conduit, not having GFI's on all your outlets, not storing uncured hay in your barn, an overpopulation of mice who can chew on wires and create a short circuit, running fans that do no have enclosed motors, running shoddy extension cords, etc. A lightening strike we cannot control, but there is so much we can for just being very diligent.

Terrible thing to hear about again. Terrible for the owners, worse for the horses. So very sad.

[YankeeLawyer]

I absolutely cringe whenever I see a post about a barn fire. It has to be a horse owners' latent nightmare.

Interestly, I've noticed that most barn fires I've seen on this BB happen in winter. Perhaps all circuits are on overload during the cooler months...I don't know.

It really doesn't matter the material your barn is made of -- even metal will become engulfed if you do not religously remove fire hazards. A few dont's: people who smoke in the barn or nearby, keeping the coffee pot on in the tack room for too long, not running your electical lines in metal conduit, not having GFI's on all your outlets, not storing uncured hay in your barn, an overpopulation of mice who can chew on wires and create a short circuit, running fans that do no have enclosed motors, running shoddy extension cords, etc. A lightening strike we cannot control, but there is so much we can for just being very diligent.


To add one thing to this useful list -- spider webs. They are highly combustible, more so than hay.

[sid]

FYI: An added benefit to having a fly spray system is that it kills spiders too. I seldom even have any cobwebs at all.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good smoke detector for a barn? I looked into putting ones in the barn but was told that ordinary barn dust sets them off all the time.


I'm told what your really want is heat detectors....ones that will pick up smoldering hay before there is really smoke. You can have smoke detecotors in other parts of the barns but the heat detectors are what will give you enough time to actually do something about the fire.

[DiablosHalo]

How awful... I'm so sorry for the loss... how heartbreaking.

I have a metal MD barn. 24 stall double shedrow barn. They say the walls have 0% flame spread- but that does not include the sawdust bedding or hay in the stalls, or the mats underneath- that fire can through travel easily.

I power wash inside/outside of my barn every spring and fall to get rid of dust, cobwebs, dirty walls, etc. Never thought that it was helping against fire hazards. Now I'm double glad I did it.

All our electric is in conduit, every outlet is GFI, etc... but I still worry. I have heat tape on all external water pipes, extension cords, etc. I drive myself nuts in the summer bc of the dust in the fans thinking that might spark something.

I do have fire extinguishers at each end, but they do need to be recharged. Do you know where to get this done? Or just buy new ones? They are pretty big ones (unlike kitchen sized ones).

Heat detectors? Where do they have those- I've never heard of them? Do any of these systems have a wireless alert system? My barn is only 500' from the house, but I have 18" thick brick walls in the house and don't hear anything outside unless windows are open in the spring/fall.

[YankeeLawyer]

FYI: An added benefit to having a fly spray system is that it kills spiders too. I seldom even have any cobwebs at all.

Fly sprays also kill people, though ; )

[Fairview Horse Center]

Fly sprays also kill people, though ; )

Yes, I always worry about them eating and breathing the chemicals.

[Fairview Horse Center]

I have heat tape on all external water pipes,l.

When I worked at a barn with heat tape, it was what caused us to be smelling and searching out the smoke a couple of times each winter. <eek!!> I will never use the stuff.

[Fairview Horse Center]

Interestly, I've noticed that most barn fires I've seen on this BB happen in winter. Perhaps all circuits are on overload during the cooler months...I don't know.

I have been telling people that I noticed the same thing. People using heated buckets, adding trough heaters, heat tape. Just too much. I would rather chop ice, and drain the pipes.

[Mardi]

I do have fire extinguishers at each end, but they do need to be recharged. Do you know where to get this done? Or just buy new ones? They are pretty big ones (unlike kitchen sized ones).


I believe your local fire department will do it for you. If not, they'll know who will.

[Mardi]

It really doesn't matter the material your barn is made of -- even metal will become engulfed if you do not religously remove fire hazards. A few dont's: people who smoke in the barn or nearby.....

There's a h/j groom at our barn who smokes. I've asked him to stop (he just growled and ignored me) and I've mentioned it to his boss, the trainer.

Still smokes....and there's cigarette butts all over .

[YankeeLawyer]

I have been telling people that I noticed the same thing. People using heated buckets, adding trough heaters, heat tape. Just too much. I would rather chop ice, and drain the pipes.

I agree completely. I am always amazed when people recommend heat tape for use in barns. We have a heated tack room, all wiring in MC cable, and no heat tape needed because the tack room keeps the pipes sufficiently warm. No extension cables are permitted in my barn (and if they were allowed, I would only allow the kind for outdoor use and not leave them plugged in). We have Nelson autowaterers in the fields and in the barn we have insulated thermos-type bucket holders that have yet to ever freeze (and the keep the water cool in summer).

[YankeeLawyer]

There's a h/j groom at our barn who smokes. I've asked him to stop (he just growled and ignored me) and I've mentioned it to his boss, the trainer.

Still smokes....and there's cigarette butts all over .

Is the trainer also the owner of the barn? I would think the owner might care. I would not tolerate smoking anywhere near the barn, let alone in the barn.

[ise@ssl]

We don't allow smoking on our property - PERIOD. I would NEVER keep my horse at a barn where people smoke. We had a couple horses boarded when our arena was being built and the trainer and a couple boarders smoked even though the owner didn't allow it . I found another barn and moved them.

We re-wired all of our barns and arena and everything is in conduit. And surface mounted - nothing in the walls. The new heater in our tack room hangs from the ceiling - no more baseboard. To easy for things to be pushed up against those.

[DMK]

What a horrible thing to happen. I am glad the German barns are most of the time built with brick. Mine are all stone and still fear when there is a thunderstorm with lots of lightning.


I'm not sure it makes a huge difference. I used to keep my horses at a barn and a few months after I moved out it burned down. It was made of cinder brick like most South FL barns of its day (stronger hurricane protection). Sadly the roof, trusses and bedding are all highly flammable and wiring is usually up near where the wood. It burned so hot and fast it more or less melted the cinder brick. All but two horses were lost and a groom lived in the apartment. He went into the aisle and opened all the doors trying to get them out. The only horses he could get to leave were the two stallions - one because he was let out early or was near the end of the aisle, I guess, and the other because he saw his arch enemy leaving the barn and went after them (and then they got in a knock down drag out, but were otherwise unharmed). All the other horses in the barn would not leave and the groom finally had to get out himself before he was killed.

So while brick/stone is less flammable, it's all a crapshoot with highly flammable bedding, hay, roof & truss materials.

[sid]

You know, when I first built my barn/arena, I called my local fire department and asked if they would mind coming by and inspecting everything to tell me what they might consider a possible fire hazard.

They were great! Two fire officials came out and went over everything with a fine tooth comb -- no charge of course. My farm can be tricky to find and some people initially get lost. So another good thing is that they made notation on how to get here quickly in case of an emergency to keep on file at the dept.

The only thing they found that "could go wrong" is if someone was to drop clothing or flammable material on one of the baseboard heaters in the office. Duly noted and it's something I always pay attention to in the winter.

I think I'll have them come back and take a look again, now that my barn is older, just as a "re-check".

Something others might considering doing, too.

[YankeeLawyer]

You know, when I first built my barn/arena, I called my local fire department and asked if they would mind coming by and inspecting everything to tell me what they might consider a possible fire hazard.

They were great! Two fire officials came out and went over everything with a fine tooth comb -- no charge of course. My farm can be tricky to find and some people initially get lost. So another good thing is that they made notation on how to get here quickly in case of an emergency to keep on file at the dept.

The only thing they found that "could go wrong" is if someone was to drop clothing or flammable material on one of the baseboard heaters in the office. Duly noted and it's something I always pay attention to in the winter.

I think I'll have them come back and take a look again, now that my barn is older, just as a "re-check".

Something others might considering doing, too.

This is a really good idea. We did the same when we first moved here, in part because our farm is a little tricky to find also. We have since had an emergency (suspected gas leak), and the FD got here unbelievably fast.