It is a devastating loss for a local farm and the horse industry as more than 40 racehorses were killed in barn fire here on Monday night.
On Jan. 5 Puslinch fire chief Steve Goode told the Advertiser “last night around 11pm on Jan. 4, Puslinch fire received a 911 call for a fully involved barn fire with horses trapped.”
When firefighters arrived at Classy Lane Stables Training Centre on Concession 1 the barn was fully involved, said Goode, who noted the facility manager was on the scene as well.
“But there was nothing the firefighters could do,” he said. “Forty horses perished in the fire.”
He expects damages to total millions of dollars, though he does not know an exact figure.
“This is the highest dollar loss the Township of Puslinch has experienced,” he said.
He noted, “These were racehorses at Woodbine, Flamboro Downs, Mohawk and surrounding areas.”
There were up to 50 firefighters on the scene from Hamilton, Cambridge, Guelph, and Guelph-Eramosa (Rockwood), with other departments on standby, Goode said.
As of the morning of Jan. 5, Classy Lane owner Barb Miller had little additional information to offer.
“We need a little time …” she said, noting her husband Jamie is on a plane flying up from Florida and is heading to the farm to meet with trainers, employees and insurance representatives.
“They are all waiting at the farm,” Miller told the Advertiser. “We just don’t know anything else right now. We don’t know how it was caused, or anything else.”
As of 9am on Jan. 5, Goode said it was still an active scene with firefighters continuing to deal with hot spots.
He noted the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office was expected on scene later in the day and will be investigating in conjunction with Puslinch Fire and Rescue and the Wellington County OPP.
Goode said horse owners were to arrive throughout the day.
“This is absolutely devastating for (the township) and the horse community. It’s going to have a huge impact on them,” Goode said.
The Classy Lane website states the 135-acre farm is a multi-million dollar operation established in 2003 that offers a seven-eighths mile track and five barns that accommodate 222 horses.
