A massive fire killed 26 horses and destroyed the barn where they were kept at Georfarmgia on Sunday, authorities said.
Firefighters arrived early Sunday morning at the scene of the blaze at Blue Springs Farm, a family-owned farm about 50 miles north of Atlanta. No civilians or firefighters were injured in the blaze, officials said.
By the time the crew arrived on scene around 6 a.m., the fire was already “well advanced and it was determined that the fire had been burning for a long time before being discovered by the first 911 callers,” the Forsyth County Fire Department said. in a press release. Firefighters were able to suppress the blaze from the outside, officials said, but “interior operations were not possible” as the structure engulfed in flames in its entirety.
Blue Springs Farm / Facebook
All the horses stabled on the farm perished in the blaze, and the barn itself was also “a total loss,” according to firefighters. An image of the barn that Blue Springs Farm posted to its Facebook account later Sunday showed the structure completely charred and visibly unstable, with at least one exterior wall collapsing toward the center.
“Even in the sorrow and suffering, God reminds us that his promises are new every morning,” Blue Springs Farm wrote in one of several Facebook posts on Sunday. “We are overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity and support.”
A GoFundMe campaign launched to support Blue Springs Farm had raised more than $29,000 of the $30,000 goal as of Monday morning.
“We are at a loss for words as we are in shock at this devastating loss. As we mourn our loss, we realize what it takes to get back on our feet,” the campaign’s description read, echoing a similar statement that the farm shared on Facebook to thank people for their donations.
The cause of the fire is being investigated by Forsyth County Fire, though the department said a full investigation could not be launched yet because the remaining structure was still too unsafe to enter after the fire was extinguished.
Blue Springs Farm offers lessons and competitive training, as well as room and board for up to 32 horses in its own barn, according to the website.
CBS News reached out to Blue Springs Farm for comment, but received no immediate response.
