Barn Fire Kills 15 Horses at Race Track

Colin Hart
Staff Writer

SPRINGFIELD – With their backs ablaze, two horses stampeded out of a burning barn this morning at Lincoln Downs Race Track, the day before the opening season.

A suspected arson fire killed 15 horses at Lincoln Downs Race Track here early this morning, one day before the start of racing season.

Thirteen thoroughbreds and two saddle horses died in the blaze. Ten horses escaped, two of them with their backs ablaze. Blackened wood supports rose from the ashes of the fire that burned from 4 a.m. till about noon.

The fire exploded at the center of the barn said fire chief Bernard Perry. All the electrical outlets and heaters were at the end of the barn not the middle, assistant track manager Dan Bucci said. Fire officials are considering arson in their investigation.

A jockey watching the cleanup said, “Those are my best friends. I love horses more than I do people. I feel like I want to cry.”

Photo caption: (see above) Image taken of the fire at Lincoln Downs Race Track in Springfield just after 4 a.m.