Man suffers severe burns, dozens of horses die in barn fire in Ohio

A massive barn fire in Ohio left one man severely burned and 44 horses dead.

The fire broke out Saturday at Brant Performance Horses near Belle Center, about 67 miles northwest of Columbus, in Logan County.

A farm employee noticed the fire in the barn around noon. Cathy Brant of Brant Performance Horses told ABC News the employee shouted “fire” to warn others, but shortly afterward there was an explosion that made the fire even bigger.

The stable is approximately 60,000 square feet in size and housed approximately 85 horses. It also included a training and show area for the horses and living quarters for several employees who lost their belongings in the fire.

Eric Priest, the owner of Priest Performances Horses, who was boarding some of his clients’ horses in the barn, ran into the building and was caught in the blast. He suffered second- and third-degree burns to his arms, back and head. He is expected to survive but may require surgery. He was transferred to Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus.

Jason Johns, deputy fire chief of the Richland Township Fire Department, told ABC News that firefighters were on the scene for about 12 hours because when they arrived, “the building was already beginning to collapse and it was not safe to enter,” making it difficult to extinguish the fire.

The cause of the fire is currently being investigated by the State Fire Marshal.