BARN FIRE SAFETY

On January 4, 2016, 43 racehorses died in the Classy Lane Stables fire. It was the barn fire heard around the world. Each year, barn fires rack up millions of dollars in loss and take the lives of thousands of animals. In minutes, a barn fire can wipe out the hard work of generations of dedication to breeding, production, showing and training programs. Fires can kill pets and human-animal partnerships and can devastate livelihoods in minutes. Due to the extent of damage, the cause of a barn fire is often undetermined. Of those where a cause was determined, electrical and heating appliances are the leading causes of barn fires. The good news? Barn fires are preventable and often can be avoided with simple maintenance steps.