“There was heavy smoke going over Belle Center when we got paged, and when we arrived, there was heavy fire conditions and smoke showing,” Johns said.
The State Fire Marshal is investigating the fire to the 60,000-square-foot equestrian training center.
At the time of the fire, there were several people and as many as 50 horses in the barn.
All people were able to escape, although one person suffered a burn injury and was taken to a local hospital, then transferred to Ohio State University’s medical center. The extent of the victim’s injuries or condition is not known, Johns said. No firefighters were injured.
Firefighters did not make entry into the barn, Johns said, because it was “too far gone for anybody to go in.”
Some horses were rescued, but approximately 44 horses perished in the fire, according to the State Fire Marshal.
Fire crews from Bellefontaine, De Graff, West Liberty, Rust Creek, Ridgeway and many other agencies also responded to assist.
The cause of the fire remains undetermined and the investigation is ongoing.
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