Logan County fire kills more than 40 horses…employee seriously injured trying to save them – Mercer County Outlook

(6-9-24) Just after 12:15 p.m. Saturday, all Logan County departments were called to a stable on State Route 638, just outside of Belle Center, Ohio.

The Logan County Sheriff's Department reports the barn was engulfed in flames with more than 100 horses inside and is believed to have killed some 43 horses and injured an employee who tried to rescue them Saturday afternoon in Brant Performance & Priest Performance Horses, 8755 State Route 638, Belle Center, Ohio.

The injured victim was transported to Mary Rutan Hospital and then transferred to OSU Wexner Medical Center in Columbus. Information on his identity, the extent of his injuries and his current condition was not immediately available.

The 60,000 square foot barn was completely engulfed when firefighters arrived and is considered a “total loss.”

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and damage is estimated at more than $1 million.

Logan County Sheriff's deputies closed traffic on SR 638 in the area as fire trucks, tankers and other equipment and personnel arrived on scene.

Firefighters used a private pond along State Route 273 west of Belle Center to fill water trucks to provide water to fight the fire.

The employees of the establishment lost their housing and their belongings.

The Ohio State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the fire.