In a devastating incident over the weekend, a horse barn in Logan County, Ohio, was completely destroyed by a fire, resulting in the tragic loss of 44 horses and leaving one person seriously injured. The cause of the fire that engulfed the Brant Performance Horses barn, located near Belle Center, Ohio, is currently under investigation.

The barn, spanning an impressive 60,000 square feet, served as a home for approximately 85 horses and featured a performance area as well as living quarters for employees. On Saturday, a Brant Performance Horses employee noticed smoke within the barn around noon and immediately alerted others. Within seconds of the initial warning, an explosion occurred, intensifying the fire.

Eric Priest, the owner of Priest Performance Horses in Belle Center, bravely rushed inside the barn in an attempt to free the trapped horses but was caught in the explosion. He suffered severe burns to his arms, back, and head, and may require surgery, according to Cathy Brant of Brant Performance Horses.

Firefighters from Logan, Hardin, and Union counties united their efforts to combat the flames, tirelessly working for approximately 12 hours to extinguish the fire. Unfortunately, due to the structural instability of the building, they were unable to enter and had to rely on their efforts from outside.

Tragically, the fire not only resulted in the loss of valuable equine lives but also left four employees who resided within the barn without their belongings. These individuals have been devastated by the loss, as they lost everything in the fire, Brant confirmed.

In the wake of this heart-wrenching incident, communities have come together to support the affected horse businesses. A GoFundMe page created to assist the owners of Brant Performance Horses has already raised over $235,000 as of Monday afternoon. Additionally, two GoFundMe campaigns created for the owners of Priest Performance Horses have collectively raised nearly $40,000, providing some relief to those affected.

"The amount of support we've received is incredible," expressed Brant, grateful for the outpouring of generosity. While the cause of the fire remains unknown as investigations continue, Brant Performance Horses plans to use the donated funds to rebuild their property. In the meantime, their business will operate out of another barn located approximately 40 minutes north.

This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of fires and the devastating consequences they can have on both human lives and animals. As the investigation progresses, authorities will seek answers to determine the cause of the fire while the horse community mourns the loss of the beloved horses that perished.