“Ben Wallace [who lost 17 horses in the fire] and us have bought and sold horses between us”, Burke said Wednesday. Five area fire departments fought the blaze into Tuesday.
Advertisement
It is not yet known what caused the fire but the Office of the Fire Marshal said it expects its investigation will be complete sometime Thursday.
O’Donnell said the tribute offers people clarity.
He said everyone wants to help those who suffered get back on their feet.
“First of all, it can probably put you out of business”.
There was an outpouring of support Wednesday.
“Have you seen this?”
The wiring in the barn had been inspected a few months ago for insurance purposes and was in working order, said facility owner James Millier.
Woodbine will commemorate the 43 horses that perished in a barn fire last Monday during Thursday night’s Standardbred card.
“Anything this tragic sends a shock wave through the whole community”, Young said.
“I’ve never experienced anything like this in my life, and I wouldn’t wish it upon anybody to experience what we did Monday night”, horse trainer Nick Gallucci told CTV News. That’s the whole key, getting horses again, start training again and start earning an income.
Groomers, veterinarians, blacksmiths and other professionals involved in the industry will be feeling the effects of the equine deaths for months to come, he said.
“There is a history here because of a fire in the past at Mohawk”, O’Donnell said.
“These people spend 24 hours a day with these horse seven days a week, they all have personalities”, he said.
“It’s like they’re part of the family”, said O’Donnell, president of the Central Ontario Standardbred Association. But most important, is horses.
“I’m just waiting to wake up”, he said.
A crowdfunding campaign in aid of those affected by a southern Ontario stable fire that killed 43 racehorses earlier this week has raised more than $150,000. Some have estimated the loss of the horses at $20 million.
In 2014, the most recent year that statistics are available, the Ontario Fire Marshall’s office reported 150 barn fires, 45 per cent of them housing animals. Immediately following, at approximately 6:55 p.m., Woodbine will observe a minute of silence in remembrance. He called 911, but by the time fire crews arrived the barn was fully engulfed.
Advertisement
No smoking is allowed in Meridian Farms barns, said Andrew. It was not required to, he said.
