Horsepeople are being reminded to do what they can around their properties to minimize the chance of barn fires after a blaze recently ripped through a facility that was home to five Standardbreds.

According to an article by RFD TV, a Massachusetts barn owned by John Frost burnt to the ground during the early-morning hours of Thursday, February 13.

The barn had been home to a total of six horses – five Standardbreds and a Quarterhorse – and all six were able to be rescued before the barn was completely lost.

In speaking with the Boston Globe, Frost said, “It’s tragic to see a situation like this. I built the barn to be low-maintenance and fireproof, and it went up in flames in less than 10 or 15 minutes.”

Rehoboth Fire Chief Frank Barresi told the Boston Globe that “the roof had flames coming out of it when we came down the driveway, and we had to cut holes into the barn because it was made out of metal.”

Just a few years ago, Equine Guelph created and launched its Barn Fire Prevention Tool. For additional information regarding the tool, click here.

(With files from the Boston Globe and RFD TV)