WEYBRIDGE — Around 20 Weybridge and New Haven firefighters responded to a blaze this morning that destroyed a horse barn at 1572 Quaker Village Road.
Firefighters arrived at the scene at around 9 a.m., according to Weybridge Fire Chief Bill Sinks. By then, the barn was fully involved.
“There was nothing we could really do to save the building,” Sinks said of the roughly 30-foot-by-40-foot structure. He identified the owner as Cindy Strate.
Three horses were fortunately able to get outside of the barn at the time of the blaze, but unfortunately five cats perished in the fire, according to Strate’s husband, Michael Picard.
“The fire departments did a great job to contain and control the fire,” Picard said. “Unfortunately, there was nothing that could have saved the barn.” Authorities are not sure what caused the fire, but it does not look suspicious in nature, Sinks said.
“We had the unfortunate loss of a newer barn and a couple of animals,” Sinks said. “We had good response from the Weybridge and New Haven Fire Departments.”
Picard said he and Strate plan to replace the barn as they now have the horses temporarily housed in an indoor arena.
“We have been fortunate that friends have provided us with horse blankets, hay, and other supplies, as everything was lost in the barn,” he said.
Editor’s note: This story was updated on Tuesday morning to correct a few errors and add Picard’s comments.