More photos below
Fire reportedly killed some 43 horses and injured an employee who was trying to save them Saturday afternoon at Brant Performance & Priest Performance Horses, 8755 State Route 638, Belle Center.
The injury victim was taken to Mary Rutan Hospital and later was transferred to OSU Wexner Medical Center in Columbus. Information about his identity, the extent of his injuries and current condition were not immediately available.
Some 100 animals were estimated to be inside the 60,000 square-foot barn when the blaze started around 12:18 p.m.
The structure was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived, New Richland Fire Chief Jason Johns said.
The barn is a “total loss,” Chief Johns said.
Firefighters from Logan, Hardin and Union counties battled the blaze until about 7 p.m.
The cause of the blaze has yet to be determined and damage is estimated to be in excess of $1 million, Johns said.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the fire because of the high value of the loss.
Owners of the property are Brandon and Catherine Brant, according to the most current information on the Logan County Auditor’s website.
Logan County Sheriff’s deputies closed traffic on S.R. 638 in the area as a steady stream of firetrucks, tankers, concrete trucks and other equipment and personnel converged on the scene.
Fire personnel utilized a private pond along State Route 273 west of Belle Center to fill tanker trucks to supply water to fight the blaze.
Members of the horse training community have reached out via social media to offer words of sorrow and support about the tragedy.
Employees of the facility lost their living quarters and belongings.
GoFundMe pages have been organized to raise donations to help the Brant and Priest families. As of 7 a.m. Sunday, June 9, about 815 donations totaling $132,175 had been received.
Ground Photos | T.J. Hubbard and Jacob Howell. Aerial Photos | Brayden Barth
