by Paul Ramlow, USTA Internet News Manager

Columbus, OH —- Two horses were led to safety before a barn burned to the ground at Zorgwijk Stables in Brantford, Ontario this past Friday (Dec. 11).

According to a story in the Brantford Expositor, the barn was packed with hay and machinery.

“In itself, the barn presented a tremendous challenge because of its size,” Brant County Fire Chief Paul Boissonneault told the newspaper, “but it also was packed with a phenomenal amount of fuel.”

Stable employees were able to quickly move out the two horses that were in the burning building and then, as billows of black smoke and intense heat threatened nearby structures, horses were moved from adjoining barns.

“One of the farm hands was taken to hospital as a precaution due to smoke inhalation,” said Boissonneault, “but he left in stable condition.”

An investigation is continuing into the fire but the chief said initial reports are that a tractor may have caught fire.

Zorgwijk Stables Ltd. (comprised of Anna, Chantal, Henri and Suzanne Ruijs) is one of the leading breeders and owners of Standardbreds in Ontario. According to USTA records, they currently own 117 Standardbreds and have bred 335 horses in their 13 years in the industry.