29 Horses Killed In Fire At Charles Town Races

[Shelby]

http://your4state.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=133215

CHARLES TOWN, WV - A fire near Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races has destroyed a horse stable and killed over 40 horses.

The blaze broke out around 5:00 Monday morning.

Chief Ed Smith with Charles Town Independent Fire Company confirms at least 41 horses were killed in the fire.

According to witnesses on scene, several of the horses raced at the track.

The stable is not owned by Charles Town Races, but is directly next to the property.

As of 7:00 A.M., firefighters were still putting foam and water on the smoke rising from the barn.

An employee of Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races and a firefighter were both been transported to Jefferson Memorial Hospital Monday morning with minor injuries.


Prayers for everyone and every horse involved :(

[Tom]

That is just horrible.
Very sad to hear that kind of stuff.

[joanied]

There isn't anything more horrible than hearing news of horses killed in a fire...
:( :( :(

[PaceAdvantage]

What horror. I don't even want to think about it the absolute terror of it all...what these magnificent creatures must have went through...just an absolute tragedy.

[Shelby]

I agree. I can't even think about it.

[Bruddah]

May these majestic animals not have suffered long and may God forgive us for not being better Stewards over these animals. :(

[Saratoga_Mike]

Very sad situation - probably not a need to inject the poly debate into it. I suspect the trainers, grooms and owners are very distraught over what happened this morning.

[Saratoga_Mike]

This website has pictures of the fire on their homepage (nothing graphic, just sad to look at).

http://www.ownracehorse.com/

[Stillriledup]

Very sad situation - probably not a need to inject the poly debate into it. I suspect the trainers, grooms and owners are very distraught over what happened this morning.

I agree they are distraught, its a horrible situation.

[PaceAdvantage]

I agree they are distraught, its a horrible situation.Then why make such a stupid comment that I felt necessary to remove?

Better yet, don't answer...it will only muck the thread up...

[Stillriledup]

Then why make such a stupid comment that I felt necessary to remove?

Better yet, don't answer...it will only muck the thread up...

I had just read the 'hypocrisy' thread and thats where i got the thought to post what i posted. I see this is a 'mourning' thread and non mourners should stay away. It won't happen again, apologies to those who were offended.

[Turkoman]

My God, horrible news! It's a tough one to swallow. That's for sure.

Turkoman

[CryingForTheHorses]

What a sad day for everyone

[Trotman]

Just horrific to hear of that many of god's creatures perish. Truly a sad sad moment, my prayers go out to all.

[PaceAdvantage]

Updated story has lowered the total number of horses killed to 29...

CHARLES TOWN, WV - A fire near Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races has destroyed horse stables and killed 29 horses, according to track officials.

The blaze broke out around 5:00 Monday morning.

[Grits]

Some stories I just can't read; though prayers for all--yes--very much so.

[joanied]

wether it was 29 or 40 horses...just one dying like this is a horror...unimaginable horror:( ...I have no idea what the backside is like for CT...but it seems to me, the managment there has obviously neglected to keep the barns safe...no sprinkler system installed is criminal.
How long has it been since these barns were inspected by the Fire Dep't.? How long since the electrical systems were inspected?
I cannot imagine how the owners of these horses are feeling...no doubt they are broken hearted and sick to their stomach's...I cannot even think about even one of my horses dying like this...
and this could have been avoided if whoever it is that owns these barns would have taken the time and spent the money to keep the barns safe...IMO, there should be not one barn at any track or training facility without sprinkler systems and 'fire exits'.
What a nightmare.

[cj's dad]

Obviously, there are no laws requiring sprinkler systems to be installed in stables housing livestock in general.

This does not mean there is not ongoing progress in the imposition of such a standard in the future.

The NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) has committees which address various issues related to fire safety and standards to follow such as code books NFPA 13 - Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems and NFPA 72 - National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code





Currently this group is researching the subject:

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Technical Committee on Fire Safety in Racetrack Stables


For those of you who own stables the following safety check list may help prevent a disaster such as the one in West Va.:


http://www.custombuiltbarns.com/Ranch/barn_fire_safety.htm

[takeout]

[snip]
Barker said that although the scene was disturbed, investigators brought in an accelerant-sniffing canine and the dog indicated positive hits.

"We got samples that could indicate criminal activity," he said.
[snip]

http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/548110/Questions-surface-in-barn-fire-investigation---number-of-dead-horses-rises-to-29.html?nav=5006

[joanied]

Obviously, there are no laws requiring sprinkler systems to be installed in stables housing livestock in general.

This does not mean there is not ongoing progress in the imposition of such a standard in the future.

The NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) has committees which address various issues related to fire safety and standards to follow such as code books NFPA 13 - Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems and NFPA 72 - National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code





Currently this group is researching the subject:

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Technical Committee on Fire Safety in Racetrack Stables


For those of you who own stables the following safety check list may help prevent a disaster such as the one in West Va.:


http://www.custombuiltbarns.com/Ranch/barn_fire_safety.htm






Good info, cj's dad...but ya know...it's all just plain old common sense...and for folks with barns that do not go through the barns and inspect them themselves, that in itself, it pure negligence.
It should be LAW to have a sprinkler system in every barn...

[joanied]

[snip]
Barker said that although the scene was disturbed, investigators brought in an accelerant-sniffing canine and the dog indicated positive hits.

"We got samples that could indicate criminal activity," he said.
[snip]

http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/548110/Questions-surface-in-barn-fire-investigation---number-of-dead-horses-rises-to-29.html?nav=5006

So...the plot thickens...this is so disturbing...would someone be so cold hearted as to set these barns (or the one barn) on fire, with horses inside...and what if some human's were in there...my God, what is wrong with people...and what a screw up the investigation is...unbeleivable.
I hope they get to the bottom of this, and if they find the person responsible, if it was indeed arson, then I'd like to have first shot at the SOB:mad:

[cj's dad]

Good info, cj's dad...but ya know...it's all just plain old common sense...and for folks with barns that do not go through the barns and inspect them themselves, that in itself, it pure negligence.
It should be LAW to have a sprinkler system in every barn...

Per square foot, a sprinkler system is just not that expensive to install - I know that for a fact - and as always you pass the cost onto the customers.

where are they going to stable their horses anway ??

[Shelby]

Obviously, there are no laws requiring sprinkler systems to be installed in stables housing livestock in general.

This does not mean there is not ongoing progress in the imposition of such a standard in the future.

The NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) has committees which address various issues related to fire safety and standards to follow such as code books NFPA 13 - Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems and NFPA 72 - National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code





Currently this group is researching the subject:

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Technical Committee on Fire Safety in Racetrack Stables


For those of you who own stables the following safety check list may help prevent a disaster such as the one in West Va.:


http://www.custombuiltbarns.com/Ranch/barn_fire_safety.htm






I am shocked that there are not more regulations.

[Shelby]

[snip]
Barker said that although the scene was disturbed, investigators brought in an accelerant-sniffing canine and the dog indicated positive hits.

"We got samples that could indicate criminal activity," he said.
[snip]

http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/548110/Questions-surface-in-barn-fire-investigation---number-of-dead-horses-rises-to-29.html?nav=5006

TELL me that NO human being would do such a thing on purpose.

[JustRalph]

TELL me that NO human being would do such a thing on purpose.

I would start with the insurance records

[cj's dad]

I am shocked that there are not more regulations.

Those two code books total 600+ pages between them, and changes are made every three years.

The NFPA folks know what they are doing. Fires happen for a reason, not by happenstance.

[CryingForTheHorses]

TELL me that NO human being would do such a thing on purpose.



What a horrible thought!!.Sadly like many other nasty things humans to to animals and humans it wouldnt surprise me.For someone to intentionaly set this fire or any other act of of cruelty is lower then snake s**t .Such a horrible thing to happen..God Bless the horses.

[Trotman]

The great Mohawk fire where many horses perished in my gut the lowly son of a bitch who's name was prominate at the time because every horse he had was insured to the hilt in my gut was guilty of arson and got away with it and funny there after a cooling down period he is now a thoroughbred trainer, to my grave I will always believe he was guilty like many others do.

[tucker6]

TELL me that NO human being would do such a thing on purpose.Ask Alydar that question.

[joanied]

Ask Alydar that question.

Indeed:mad: :( ...it's amazing the things some folks will do for money...truly the root of evil for too many.
Like I said already, if they find who it was set this fire, I'd like first shot at him...maybe a proper form of punishment would be to set one of his arms on fire...
everytime I begin to think about what those animals went through...just makes me sick, sick, sick.

[WinterTriangle]

before we get the bus fired up, I have all kinds of "accelerants" around my property, but I have no plan to set it on fire. :)

Aside from the gasoline, diesel, and other petroleum distillates like chain saw and weed eater mixes, some of my equipment may leak a little bit when I use it. I know that one of the valve covers on one thing lets a little oil out? (chain saw, walk behind wheel trimmer, weedeater.........) I also have some stuff that I put into gasoline in my generators to keep the gasoline "fresh". Those bottles are sitting in my barn, and some of the stuff runs down the side a little after I pour it. Also, isn't some tack cleaned with oil/petroleum distillates? And aren't there hoof dressings and stuff, alcohol etc.? Aren't paints, Pesticides and herbicides also pretty highly combustible? And aerosol cans?

I'm not at all surprised that a sniffing dog would pick up accelerants on the backside.

Then, you have to think that anything thing with a motor can ignite a fire. A fan, a light bulb, a refrigerator/freezer---or even a worn out electrical cord.

And manure piles can combust. Somebody near me had a fire from their compost heap heating up :eek: neighbor had a small brush fire on his property a few years ago. Guess what it was? It was a VERY hot day, and a piece of glass on the ground magnified the sun thru it and lit some dry grass on fire.

I say let's wait for the LABORATORY reports first before we start arson rumors. ;)

[awesomehandicapper]

I lost one horse and my daughter lost three horses in the fire. The barn that burned down killing all horses in it was the first one across from the swimming pool. There was no insurance for anything . No reason for anyone to be so cruel. It was an accident. The electric company took away a transformer in the middle of the night that was seen sparking according to some 1/2 before fire started. So that transformer will never be seen again. The real cruel people in this is the national HBPA who refuse to pay for any horses because the track was across the street from racetrack. Also a lot of money was raised by the local HBPA from all over the world and they want to give each trainer and owner a hoof pick. It was a horrible scene. The owner of Hollywood Casino at Charlestown races keeps the regular horsemen barns in perfect condition.There are smoke alarms and security 24 hours a day.
So lets get facts straight. The barn we lost horses was there for some 40 years. Things happen. we will never know the truth. My horse was a nice gentle hard knocking racehorse with a big heart who i hope died from smoke inhalation before flames touched her.

[Shelby]

Ask Alydar that question.

I googled. I am speechless. :( :( :(

[Shelby]

I lost one horse and my daughter lost three horses in the fire. The barn that burned down killing all horses in it was the first one across from the swimming pool. There was no insurance for anything . No reason for anyone to be so cruel. It was an accident. The electric company took away a transformer in the middle of the night that was seen sparking according to some 1/2 before fire started. So that transformer will never be seen again. The real cruel people in this is the national HBPA who refuse to pay for any horses because the track was across the street from racetrack. Also a lot of money was raised by the local HBPA from all over the world and they want to give each trainer and owner a hoof pick. It was a horrible scene. The owner of Hollywood Casino at Charlestown races keeps the regular horsemen barns in perfect condition.There are smoke alarms and security 24 hours a day.
So lets get facts straight. The barn we lost horses was there for some 40 years. Things happen. we will never know the truth. My horse was a nice gentle hard knocking racehorse with a big heart who i hope died from smoke inhalation before flames touched her.

I'm so so sorry for you and your daughter's losses. My heart breaks.

[cnollfan]

I lost one horse and my daughter lost three horses in the fire. The barn that burned down killing all horses in it was the first one across from the swimming pool. There was no insurance for anything . No reason for anyone to be so cruel. It was an accident. The electric company took away a transformer in the middle of the night that was seen sparking according to some 1/2 before fire started. So that transformer will never be seen again. The real cruel people in this is the national HBPA who refuse to pay for any horses because the track was across the street from racetrack. Also a lot of money was raised by the local HBPA from all over the world and they want to give each trainer and owner a hoof pick. It was a horrible scene. The owner of Hollywood Casino at Charlestown races keeps the regular horsemen barns in perfect condition.There are smoke alarms and security 24 hours a day.
So lets get facts straight. The barn we lost horses was there for some 40 years. Things happen. we will never know the truth. My horse was a nice gentle hard knocking racehorse with a big heart who i hope died from smoke inhalation before flames touched her.

I am so sorry for your loss and for your daughter's losses. Thank you for shedding some light into what happened.

[comet52]

I lost one horse and my daughter lost three horses in the fire. The barn that burned down killing all horses in it was the first one across from the swimming pool. There was no insurance for anything . No reason for anyone to be so cruel. It was an accident. The electric company took away a transformer in the middle of the night that was seen sparking according to some 1/2 before fire started. So that transformer will never be seen again. The real cruel people in this is the national HBPA who refuse to pay for any horses because the track was across the street from racetrack. Also a lot of money was raised by the local HBPA from all over the world and they want to give each trainer and owner a hoof pick. It was a horrible scene. The owner of Hollywood Casino at Charlestown races keeps the regular horsemen barns in perfect condition.There are smoke alarms and security 24 hours a day.
So lets get facts straight. The barn we lost horses was there for some 40 years. Things happen. we will never know the truth. My horse was a nice gentle hard knocking racehorse with a big heart who i hope died from smoke inhalation before flames touched her.

Thanks for sharing that, in what I'm sure is a painful time for you to have done so.

[Saratoga_Mike]

Finger Lakes is collecting equipment for the CT horsemen impacted by the fire. They will deliver it to CT shortly. I thought that was a nice gesture.

A prior poster mentioned the national HBPA - do all the local HBPA's report into a national HBPA? If so, does that entity provide compenstation for horses lost in stable fires?

[awesomehandicapper]

There is insurance for this but only for race horses on the race track property. The barn that burned down was right across the street.
Charlestown has just a certain amount of stalls to give to trainers so many
use stalls in barns that burned down. There is a master list in the racing
secretary's office on which you put the horses you have that walk across to the training track or main track to train each morning. You have to have your horse checked by a security guard located in a guard shack before you go to the training track. These barns have always kept the overflow from the main track since the 1940's. All the horses back there run in races at track.
Point is National Hbpa and local Hbpa should be doing something to make these points and take some of the millions they keep in the bank and do the right thing. They get a % everytime you guys put a bet down. OUR motto is "horsemen helping horsemen". Not "lets keep it in the bank for the next natinal convention expenses".