At least 43 horses killed, 1 man burned in Ohio barn fire

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — At least 43 horses were killed and one man was seriously burned after a barn fire in Logan County, Ohio, over the weekend.

Saturday's fire destroyed the Brant Performance Horses stable near Belle Center, Ohio, the Columbus Dispatch reported. Firefighters from three counties reportedly responded to battle the blaze, which was reported to authorities around noon Saturday. Firefighters were on site until 11:30 p.m. Saturday.

The 60,000-square-foot barn included booths, a performance hall and employee housing, the newspaper reported.

The Columbus Dispatch reported that Eric Priest, an employee, was injured in the fire. He was trying to save his clients' horses from the burning barn.

“On behalf of the Brant and Priest families, we are happy to report that Eric is doing well,” Brant Performance Horses posted on Facebook Monday. “He's still smiling and telling his same corny jokes. We love this man like family.”

Officials told the Columbus Dispatch that the cause of the fire is not known at this time and the state fire marshal is investigating.

Belle Center is approximately 68 miles from Columbus.