Columbus, OH – A story by Steven Spearie in The State Journal-Register in Springfield, IL reported that while a fire on Sunday evening (June 15) at the Illinois State Fairgrounds damaged a barn housing horses from trainer Mike Brink, all of those horses were rescued unharmed.
According to Spearie’s story, “A fire on June 15 fully engulfed an historic horse barn on the grounds of the Illinois State Fairgrounds.
“All 14 horses, used in harness racing, were taken out safely and put into a nearby barn.
“(Trainer) Mike Brink of Springfield rents the barn. He has 25 horses at the fairgrounds altogether.
“The damaged barn–No. 39–dates from 1895, said Lori Harlan, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Agriculture.”
Springfield Fire Chief Nick Zummo indicated that responding fire department crews were met by fire and smoke in barn 39 when they arrived on Sunday evening and that the Illinois State Fire Marshal will conduct an investigation.
To read the complete story in The State Journal-Register, click here.
Local television station WRSP-TV (FOX) also reported on the story. To view WRSP’s story, click here.
They also posted a photo gallery from the fire that can be viewed here.