My Heart Ached reading and hearing this news. The fire from the 70s fire at the Detroit Race Course relived.
In 1995 my closest and dearest friend, Horse Owner & Trainer lost three horses when the lunatic wife of the man she sold her farm to, set the bottom barn on fire purposely. Bonnie Sutherland was renting that bottom barn. I know the details of what those poor animals went through. I’ll never forget the sound of her voice when I finally got through to her. I heard about it watching the 11:00 pm news that night. When they said the fire broke out on a farm in Lapeer, right across from a volunteer fire Dept. I said my God, it’s Bonnie. I was shaking as I called so fast I kept mis-dialing. And Another Lunatic set another Trainer and Pony Person’s ( Cindy Iacovacci ) sisters barn on fire purposely also in the mid 90s. They lost a great number of horses.
I know what those Poor Horses went through. I don’t even want to think about it. It pains that much. So to Charles Town Race Track. The Horsemen/Women from Michigan’s Pinnacle Race Course feel your pain along with you. As far as that goes any Horse People whether Racing, Riding or anything thing else. We feel for you. We’re saddened of the news of these Horses demise and how they died. You’re in our Prayers, Minds and Hearts.
God speed to those who lost Horses, and God Speed to those that witnessed this horrible image that no time will ever erase. But know there are many thinking of you and that emotional pain.
27 Horses Killed in West Virginia Barn Fire
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/58754/27-horses-killed-in-west-virginia-barn-fire
Posted: Monday, September 6, 2010 4:31 PM
Another 20 horses were rescued, according to Lenny Hale, executive director of the Charles Town Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, which is assisting in providing help to owners and trainers impacted by the tragedy.
The fire at the older wooden structures began at about 4:40 a.m. and units from seven fire departments responded. In addition to destroying two barns, the fire also damaged a third structure.
Hale said two barns were owned by Sharon and Freddy Johnson and the other by Steve Spears. He said it was not immediately known who owned the horses that died, but that the property was used by some horsemen unable to get stalls at Charles Town.
The track, which did not own nor have any control over the barns, opened one of its unused barns to accommodate horses displaced by the fire.
“It was feeding time and a lot of people saw the fire going, but it all happened very quickly,” Ken Lowe, president of the Charles Town Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association, told the Washington Post.
Independent Fire Company Chief Ed Smith told the Post investigators have not determined what caused the fire but state fire marshals on the scene said it was likely accidental. Two people — a casino employee and a firefighter — suffered minor injuries while battling the blaze, officials said. Three wooden barns were completely destroyed and a fourth was damaged.
Property damage was estimated at $1.2 million, and each horse was thought to be worth at least $10,000, although Smith said the value of the horses was “probably much, much higher.”
Hale said that representatives of the National HBPA and other affiliates were offering assistance and that additional information on how others can help would be available within the next 24 to 48 hours.
Update: Wednesday Sept. 8 12;50am
Additional Articles
This one clarified allot to me. Initially when it was reported it was feed time. I thought it was the last feed time in late afternoon. Had it been then, no doubt more would of been saved. This fire broke out at 4:40AM.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/06/AR2010090602964.html
And I really Struggled to whether post these next links or not.
But to NON- Horse people you’ll understand what the people who had to experience this living nightmare went through. Personally I would of went nuts trying to save as many horses as possible and then the helplessness felt of those who couldn’t of done anything more but hear, then hear the heartbreaking silence.
http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/local/barn-fire-kills-horses-in-charles-town-wv-090610
26 Horses were saved and 4 tiny miracles, kittens.
My heart is still crying though for those horses who had to perish like this, and it goes out to all of the Horsemen/Women at Charles Town.
Longshot's Blog 
I drive by there every mourning to work, I look at the horses going to the exercise ring, and smile. The horses feeling frisky, or just taking in the morning. Now I go by and it breaks my heart, where is the horse that just poked across the road or the horse that reared up and the rider standing beside holding reins, we have been thru this before.I am a horse owner, I know the love there is for this beautiful animal, my prayers for your loss & love