MIDDLESEX TWP - A late night, three alarm fire leveled a barn housing horses and a pet grooming business in Middlesex Township.

Butler County 911 confirmed this morning that the blaze was at Apple Hill Pet Grooming and Willow Brook Farm, located at 400 Route 228.

The incident was first reported 10:25 p.m. and quickly engulfed the barn, according to neighbors who were on scene.

"It was just so God awful," said Karla Horanic, who lives nearby and rushed to the farm with her daughter to see how they could help. "I smelled smoke and looked out my window and the sky was ablaze."

A dispatcher at 911 said ten fire departments between Butler and Allegheny counties battled the flames well into the night.

Horanic said that five horses and a pot-bellied pig perished, but that 15 other horses were out in the field when the fire started. Volunteers were scrambling to help, offering shelter, transportation and supplies.

"It was devastating. It was absolutely devastating," Horanic said. "But it was amazing how many people were there to help."

The Eagle has staff headed to the scene now and will update this story as more information becomes available. For the full story, make sure to pick up Tuesday's Butler Eagle or subscribe online.