State and local fire authorities in Massachusetts are probing the cause of a blaze that claimed the life of one horse at a stable and sales barn in Agawam.

Agawam Deputy Fire Chief Bernard Calvi said firefighters responded to a call from a passing police officer about a fire at Crowley’s Sales Barn & Stables on July 5. Firefighters arrived to find the front part of the barn ablaze, he said. Twelve horses were in the barn at the time of the fire, Calvi said.

“The horses were located in stalls at the back of the barn, and firefighters were able to get 11 of the horses out,” Calvi said.

Firefighters were unable to rescue the last horse