26 horses die in overnight barn fire at Georgia riding school. ‘Devastating loss’
A massive fire ripped through a barn, killing 26 horses at a family-owned riding school and farm in north Georgia, officials say.
Crews were called around 6 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 6, about multiple reports of smoke near Old Preserve Trail in unincorporated Forsyth County, fire officials said in a news release.
They arrived to find a barn with multiple horse stalls engulfed in flames and determined the fire had been burning well before neighbors called 911, the release said.
A Google search shows the address belongs to Blue Springs Farm in Ball Ground, a family-owned facility offering camps, trail rides, lessons and boarding, according to its website.
In addition to the horses killed, the barn was also a complete loss, fire officials said.
Firefighters had to battle the flames from outside as the fire tore through the barn, making it unsafe to go inside, the release said. No people were injured.
The owner and riders at the property said they’re reeling from the “devastating loss.”
“... We recognize what it is going to take to get back on our feet,” a GoFundMe for the farm states. “Please keep everyone in our barn family, and especially the Blue family, in your thoughts and prayers as we grieve the loss of some amazing horses who have made immeasurable impacts on hundreds of lives.”
The cause of the fire is under investigation, officials said.
Ball Ground is about 50 miles north of downtown Atlanta.
This story was originally published August 7, 2023 at 11:48 AM with the headline "26 horses die in overnight barn fire at Georgia riding school. ‘Devastating loss’."