Horse barn destroyed in Wednesday fire
WASHINGTON TWP — A 25-stall barn was destroyed by a fire Wednesday morning at 2740 Oneida Valley Road, displacing more than a dozen rescue horses.
Pat Martino, chief of Eau Claire Volunteer Fire Department, said the fire was blazing in full force when crews arrived around 7 a.m.
“Once crews got here, it was already through the roof,” he said.
No horses were injured in the blaze.
The fire is believed to have started from a water heater placed outside the 50-by-80-foot barn. Firefighters reported to dispatch that the fire was contained around 7:22 a.m., but the entire barn burned to the ground, Martino said.
According to Piper Saeler, daughter of the homeowners, a family friend was driving by the Saelers home on his way to work when he saw the smoke. He alerted them by pounding on the door.
Homeowner Kimberly Saeler said there were no electric hookups in the barn, which housed 13 horses. Her family has rescued horses from abuse or death for 18 years, she said.
“I was adamant about nothing electric in the barn,” she said. “Everything is in that barn.”
All the horses and other animals on the property were safe from the fire, Kimberly Saeler said.
“By the grace of God, we didn’t put any (horses) in last night,” she said. “I’m just glad the horses are safe. I can replace material things.”
Saeler said she has insurance and hopes to rebuild. In the meantime, the horses will be housed in an indoor arena on the property.
Crews left the scene around 8 a.m.
Marion Township Volunteer Fire Company, Bruin, Chicora, Petrolia, West Sunbury and Oneida Valley volunteer fire departments and Karns City Regional Ambulance Service all responded to the scene.
