Twelve horses die in South Florida Training Center fire
March 16, 2016,by Steve Wolf, for Stathis Enterprises
Lake Worth, FL — A barn fire has claimed the lives of approximately 12 horses at the South Florida Training Center early Wednesday morning (March 16). It has been reported that 23 horses were housed in the single barn that was engulfed in flames and that 11 have been rescued. Two have been taken to a local equine hospital in critical condition.
“This is just devastating,” said farm owner Sam Stathis. It was his barn that caught fire. Horses were also stabled in the barn for trainers Roman Lopez and Thomas Haughton.
“I am sick with grief over the horses that have lost their lives,” Stathis said. “The Palm Beach Fire Department did all they could and saved many of the horses.”
Two firefighters were taken to an area hospital to be treated for injuries.
The fire was first reported around midnight and the Fire Department will be conducting a full investigation into the cause of the fire.
Located on 441/SR 7, the South Florida Training Center is a Standardbred harness racing facility and home to nearly 500 horses. The single barn was the only one affected by the fire.
Stathis, owner of the South Florida Training Center, also owns Stathis Enterprises and is the founder of the World Chariot Racing Federation.
A horse racing online radio program, Post Time with Mike and Mike, has already set up a GoFund Me account to help the horsemen and the training center. The group will split all funds raised through the site between trainers Roman Lopez and Thomas Haughton to help offset the cost of damages because of the fire.
Anyone wishing to donate to the fund can go to www.gofundme.com/SouthFLTrainingCtr or by visiting www.posttimewithmikeandmike.com.
“The early outpouring of concern from so many people this morning is tremendous,” Stathis said. “I am financially fine, but hope that everyone could support this fundraising for Roman and Tommy. They have lost everything.”
- Post Time with Mike and Mike sets up GoFund Me account to aid Florida fire victims (Wednesday, March 16, 2016)
Post Time with Mike and Mike has set up a GoFund Me account to help the horsemen and the training center victims of the Florida barn fire.
- Meadowlands and its horsemen to raise money for Florida fire victims (Thursday, March 17, 2016)
The Meadowlands and its horsemen are teaming up to raise money for the victims of a horrific barn fire in Florida earlier this week.
- Four horses from SFTC barn fire released from hospital (Saturday, March 19, 2016)
Four of the horses rescued from the devastating barn fire at the South Florida Trotting Center have returned home.
- PHHA contributes $5,000 to Florida fire victims (Monday, March 21, 2016)
Sam Beegle, President of the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association, announced the organization will donate $5,000 to victims of the South Florida Trotting Center fire on March 16.
- Horsemens Unicorn Foundation donates $5,000 to Florida fire victims (Tuesday, March 22, 2016)
The Horsemens Unicorn Foundation is donating $5,000 to the Florida fire victims.
- Meadowlands to accept donations for Florida fire victims this weekend (Wednesday, March 23, 2016)
The Meadowlands and its horsemen will continue to accept donations and pledges for victims of a barn fire at the South Florida Trotting Center last week that killed 12 horses and injured 11 others.
- Indiana Standardbred Association donates $5,000 to Florida fire victims (Wednesday, March 23, 2016)
The Indiana Standardbred Association approved at their board meeting on March 21 a $5,000 contribution to be made to support the victims of the South Florida Trotting Center fire.
- MSOA to donate $2,000 to South Florida Training Center fire victims (Wednesday, March 23, 2016)
The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association has announced that it is donating $2,000 to the horsemen affected by the March 16 fire at the South Florida Training Center.
- COSA donates to Florida Fire Fund (Friday, March 25, 2016)
The Central Ontario Standardbred Association has announced that it will donate US$5,000 to the South Florida Trotting Center Fire Relief Fund. On March 16, the fire sadly claimed the lives of 12 horses as well as injuring 11 others.
- USHWA donates $1,000 to victims of South Florida Training Center fire (Friday, March 25, 2016)
USHWA will be making a $1,000 contribution towards the fund created to assist the people affected by the fire of March 16 at the South Florida Training Center.