Michigan stable fire claims at least 25 horses

Campbell Stables, a thoroughbred facility in Jackson County, west of Detroit, was destroyed in a fire Tuesday night. One farm worker was taken to the hospital with burns.

The stables are located within the Grass Lake Township. Firefighters responded to a 911 call shortly after 10:35 p.m. The first crew arrived eight minutes later, but the barn was reported to be fully ablaze. The two-story structure was engulfed within minutes.

One of the state’s leading breeders, Campbell Stables is owned by Jerry and Lisa Campbell, founders of Pinnacle Race Course in southern Detroit, which closed in late 2010. It is understood to be home to about 90 horses and 12 full-time staff.

The fire claimed the farm’s entire string of yearlings, two-year-olds, and all three of its sires. The broodmare band is kept in a separate barn and was unharmed.

Among the stallions lost in the fire was Fire Blitz, a 13-year-old son of Storm Cat; Valid Trefaire, a 16-year-old stakes-winning son of Valid Appeal; and War Image, an 11-year-old son of Halo’s Image.

The cause of the fire has not been determined but is not suspicious.

[Thoroughbred Times] Photo: Wikipedia Commons