We’re learning more about the deadly barn fire north of Bennington.The Washington County Sheriff’s Office says a firefighter was burned while fighting the flames but he has since been released. One person and nine horses died there Thursday morning. Some of the other horses are now being cared for at a neighboring farm.Serenity Ridge Farms is next to the property where that barn caught fire. The family at Serenity Ridge is now caring for those rescued horses.The owner of Serenity Ridge, Gregg Classen saw firetrucks and flames after getting a call from his son-in-law asking if there was a fire nearby. “I got it in gear and went over and we started herding horses,” Classen said.It was his neighbor’s barn burning. “There’s nothing left across the street,” said Matt Kathol. The Waterloo Volunteer Fire Department says at one point 140 personnel from 13 different departments in four different counties were on scene. “Inside the barn, you could see flames from one end to the other and it’s 300 feet long. So you knew it was a bad fire. Tons of black smoke,” Classen said.Crews estimated 50 horses were inside when the fire started, nine of them died. “Honestly didn’t think there’d be anything that was inside the barn that would still be able to move,” Classen said.Now 10 horses that made it out are here inside their barn in various conditions. “It’s pretty devastating. I feel real bad for everyone and all the horse owners over there,” Kathol said.KETV did not record video the horses inside of their barn, Classen says vets were trying to keep them calm and the owners had not given permission. As for the person found dead inside the barn, KETV spoke with a man who says his son lives at the barn as a maintenance worker. He said the sheriff’s office came to his home asking if his son was at his house, he said no.Though investigators have yet to confirm his son died, the father says, “It doesn’t make any sense.””It’s a tough loss. It’s going to be a long time to mend this one,” Classen said.Firefighters have not released the name of the person found dead in the barn. The fire was determined to be accidental but the investigation is still ongoing.
We’re learning more about the deadly barn fire north of Bennington.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office says a firefighter was burned while fighting the flames but he has since been released.
One person and nine horses died there Thursday morning.
Some of the other horses are now being cared for at a neighboring farm.
Serenity Ridge Farms is next to the property where that barn caught fire. The family at Serenity Ridge is now caring for those rescued horses.
The owner of Serenity Ridge, Gregg Classen saw firetrucks and flames after getting a call from his son-in-law asking if there was a fire nearby.
“I got it in gear and went over and we started herding horses,” Classen said.
It was his neighbor’s barn burning.
“There’s nothing left across the street,” said Matt Kathol.
The Waterloo Volunteer Fire Department says at one point 140 personnel from 13 different departments in four different counties were on scene.
“Inside the barn, you could see flames from one end to the other and it’s 300 feet long. So you knew it was a bad fire. Tons of black smoke,” Classen said.
Crews estimated 50 horses were inside when the fire started, nine of them died.
“Honestly didn’t think there’d be anything that was inside the barn that would still be able to move,” Classen said.
Now 10 horses that made it out are here inside their barn in various conditions.
“It’s pretty devastating. I feel real bad for everyone and all the horse owners over there,” Kathol said.
KETV did not record video the horses inside of their barn, Classen says vets were trying to keep them calm and the owners had not given permission.
As for the person found dead inside the barn, KETV spoke with a man who says his son lives at the barn as a maintenance worker. He said the sheriff’s office came to his home asking if his son was at his house, he said no.
Though investigators have yet to confirm his son died, the father says, “It doesn’t make any sense.”
“It’s a tough loss. It’s going to be a long time to mend this one,” Classen said.
Firefighters have not released the name of the person found dead in the barn. The fire was determined to be accidental but the investigation is still ongoing.
