Newsdate: Wed 12 November 2014 - 06:50 am
Location: EDWARDSBURG, Michigan

A fire that swept through a Michigan barn killed at least 20 horses and a show dog on Tuesday November 11, at Smithfield Stables near Edwardsburg, Michigan.

Wood barns - Vulnerable to fire

A fire that swept through a Michigan barn killed at least 20 horses and a show dog on Tuesday November 11, at Smithfield Stables near Edwardsburg, Michigan.

Fifteen fire departments responded to the scene about 4:32 p.m., but the structure was completely involved in flames and only charred wood framing remained when the flames died down. A local TV station reported that fire crews were having water issues, so firefighters had to bring in water from many different areas in Indiana and Michigan.

The two-story barn, which was boarding horses belonging to community members, also had an apartment on the second floor where a woman who cared for the animals and her family lived.

According to reports, the caregiver was in the apartment when she smelled smoke and went to the first floor to investigate. It is thought that the fire started in the back of the barn because by the time the woman discovered the fire the smoke was overwhelming and she had to vacate the apartment along with her husband and children.

Although they tried to get the horses out, the smoke and heat from the fire made it impossible to get near the horses.

Because of the situation, a water boil advisory was issued for Edwardsburg in the wake of the fire and school was canceled for Wednesday, November 12, 2014.