Nov. 23--Up to 32 horses died and a firefighter was injured when an extra-alarm blaze engulfed a stable in a northwest suburb Saturday night, causing over $1 million in damage, authorities said.
The fire started at 10:53 p.m. at a Valley View Acres horse stable, at 5116 Mt. Thabor Road in unincorporated Woodstock, according to a statement from Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department.
A nearby resident was awaken by what he described as a "crackling sound" coming from the stable and called for help, the statement said. When first responders arrived they saw a big portion of the T-shaped stable in flames.
The stable's owner told officials that it contained up to 37 horses at the time of the fire. Five horses escaped and were found later in a pasture, but about 32 horses may have perished in the fire, officials said.
A firefighter suffered minor injuries during the fire and was treated and released from a local hospital. No other people were hurt, the statement said.
The stable was located in an area without fire hydrants, so first responders requested additional assistance of manpower, equipment and water tenders through the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System. Fire departments from 27 different surrounding jurisdictions, including Elgin, Lake Zurich and Barrington, helped put out the blaze, the statement said.
Firefighters declared the fire under control around 12:30 a.m.
Preliminary damage estimate, which includes the lost horses, could be over $1 million, according to the statement.
The fire is under investigation by the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department, McHenry County Sheriff's Office and the State Fire Marshal, according to the statement.
What started the blaze and how many horses exactly died in the fire is unknown at the moment, said Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Chief Paul DeRaedt.
"We're still waiting to do our investigation," DeRaedt said over the phone.
