Dawn Barbacci, of Adams, and Kimberly Giannamore, of Zelienople, donate feeding buckets to Mark Tetrault, a farrier for Willow Brook Stable, in the aftermath of a fire that leveled the stable Saturday night.

MIDDLESEX TWP — After a horse stable and dog grooming business were razed by fire late Saturday night, neighbors and the surrounding community stepped up to lend a hand.

Willow Brook Stable and Apple Hill Pet Grooming on Route 228 both collapsed after a fire that began shortly before 10:30 p.m. Saturday.

"Both my daughters have worked so hard building the business up and there it is all in ashes," said Ron Filipiak, whose daughters - Katie Filipiak and Kristi Airgood - own Willow Brook Stable.

While no person was harmed, five horses — and possibly a cat and pig — died as a result. The stable relocated 20 surviving horses.

Helping them push through the tragedy is a group of people from all walks of life donating time, money and resources. About a dozen volunteers helped Filipiak and Airgood throughout Sunday in the aftermath of the fire. In addition to donations of money and supplies, volunteers helped with the remaining horses.

“The horse community's awesome because they'll come together,” said Kimberly Giannamre of Zelienople, who stopped to donate feed buckets.