“It was devastating for staff and emotionally taxing and physically exhausting for everyone on the scene.”
That is how Puslinch fire chief Steve Goode described the experience for firefighters at the Jan. 4 barn fire at Classy Lane Stables in Puslinch.
On Jan. 6 Goode made a presentation to Puslinch council, stating, “as council is aware … and probably everyone in the province of Ontario and nationally … we had a reported barn fire on Jan. 4 at 11pm at 6923 Concession 1.”
The department received a report that the building was engulfed with flames, with horses trapped inside. Officials immediately called for assistance from Cambridge, Hamilton, Guelph-Eramosa and Guelph fire departments.
Goode added Wellington County fire coordinator Brad Patton was contacted because all the tanker trucks in the south end of the county were required to fight the massive barn fire.
“I don’t know how many trucks were on scene,” he said. “We did not run out of water at all. That in itself was unbelievable.”
He noted one of the stable workers tried to get into the barn, but was pulled back.
“Our strategy was to protect the other buildings containing horses and propane cylinders on the site,” Goode said. “I can tell you there were over 55 firefighters on the scene on one of the coldest nights of the year. We had to do rotations where firefighters went into the heated barns to warm up. In addition, some of the hand lines were freezing up.”
At the same time, Goode said many horse owners, trainers and staff arrived on the scene as firefighters battled the blaze.
Even as Goode presented his report on Jan. 6, he noted Puslinch firefighters were still at the site and were expected to be there until at least that night.
“We can confirm 43 horses perished in this fire – most were standardbred,” said Goode, who noted one owner had two horses in the barn, each valued at $1.4 million.
“This is a multi-million dollar loss … the largest in the history of our township.”
As far as the total loss, Goode said there are estimates of $4 million to $6 million – but “I think we are going to be well surpassing that.”
He noted the department was working with the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office, which had three staff members at the site. In addition there were staff from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and members of the OPP on the scene.
“Everyone is doing their best to determine a cause,” said Goode.
He told council Captain John Uptegrove did a good job containing the fire and suppressing it so the fire can be investigated.
Goode noted he has fielded many calls from insurers throughout the U.S. looking for positive identification of the animals.
“We have University of Guelph veterinarians going out doing assessments for testing. There is a lot of forensic work to be done as well,” said Goode.
He told council the experience has been emotionally taxing all those involved.
“The shock hasn’t hit quite yet,” he said, adding three months ago the department had done some training at Classy Lane – at that exact same barn, with the exact same horses. “When you do that and there is some interaction … it impacts the members.”
Goode noted the owners are devastated – “words can’t describe it” – and he anticipates the investigation will take a considerable amount of time.
Councillor Susan Fielding agreed “this is certainly a sad day for Puslinch and for those across the province involved in the horse racing industry.”
Fielding was in British Columbia when she heard the News on television.
“Especially seeing it from far away, I was really proud of the professionalism of our fire department and I think you represented us very well,” she said. “In this tragedy Puslinch can hold its head up high. Except for the barn itself, firefighters were able to save everything else.”
Fielding said the ripple effect will go on because the horses take so much training – so “even if you get the money you can’t just replace the horse.”
Councillor Matthew Bulmer said he could hear in Goode’s voice how this had been physically and emotionally taxing.
Councillor Ken Roth thanked firefighters and said, “Its always tough when it is animals … at the same time we have to be very thankful no human lives were lost.”
Councillor Wayne Stokley said firefighters “did a fantastic job.”
Mayor Dennis Lever, who noted Goode called him shortly before midnight the night of the fire, said, “It just takes your breath away if you think about it.”
