Horse owners got a grim reminder about fire dangers when a blaze swept through a barn containing world class competition horses last month. Barn owners and operators are frequently informed about how to reduce fire risks, but knowing how to react if a fire does break out is equally crucial, explained Rebecca Gimenez, PhD, primary instructor and president of the Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue.

On May 31 fire swept through a barn at True Prospect Farm in West Grove, Pa., where horses ridden by eventer and World Equestrian Games competitor Boyd Martin were stabled. The cause of the blaze has been deemed electrical. Six horses died in the blaze and five others were transported to the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center for treatment. As of June 7, all but one of the surviving horses had been released after treatment.

Gimenez said that in most cases barn operators or other personnel generally cannot reach animals quickly enough to avoid being overcome themselves by smoke or flames.

Gimenez said research has shown that most barns are fully involved in fire within five to seven minutes after a fire breaks out. The time frame is similar to the amount of time it takes for most rural and volunteer fire departments to arrive at a barn blaze site