Boarding stable
A barn fire killed eighteen horses early Wednesday morning at a boarding stable near Plainfield, IL according to fire officials.
Firefighters responded to Del Real Stables around 1 a.m., although by the time they arrived flames engulfed the west side of the barn. Officials brought the fire under control a short time later but it had already spread.
Two horse owners sustained minor injuries.
The barn reportedly housed thirty-one horses at the time of the fire. Eighteen horses died in the blaze.
Eight-year-old Arabella was one of the horses killed in the fire. Her owner posted online, “she meant so much to me; first horse to own; shared bloodlines with another horse I loved as a teenager, and helping me deal with my mom’s death.”
Owners pulled 13 horses to safety.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
18 HORSES DEAD IN BARN FIRE at Ridge & Wheeler in #Plainfield.
Two people were hurt while trying to rescue the horses. @fox32news pic.twitter.com/cctdkEMSDq— Jenny Milkowski (@jennymilk) July 5, 2017

Horse Authority (formerly Rate My Horse PRO) champions social change initiatives to improve horse welfare. Since 2010, we’re empowering the equine industry through awareness and knowledge-based tools. Get involved in our horse community for good today because together we can do more to improve horses’ lives.