A recent barn fire claimed the lives of nine Standardbreds, including a mare with a two-day-old colt.
According to a brief item on the website of Energy 106.7 FM, the tragic blaze occurred just outside of Grinnell, Iowa at the barn of Dan and Jeri Roland. The Grinnell Fire Department was alerted to the blaze at 3:17 a.m. on Thursday, March 16. Nine of the 10 horses inside the barn perished.
A shot of the aftermath of the deadly March 16, 2017 barn fire just outside Grinnell, Iowa
According to a GoFundMe page that has been set up to help the Rolands, the barn was completely destroyed, and among the deceased horses were two pregnant mares that were due to foal within the week.
The post on the GoFundMe page states that offers of free equipment and supplies have been coming into the family, but the Rolands have nowhere to put any of the items.
Trot Insider will update this story when more information becomes available.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the Rolands and the connections of the horses that tragically perished.
(With files from Energy 106.7 FM and GoFundMe)