December 11, 2007 -- On the evening of November 27 a barn fire destroyed Burgundy Hill Farm in Marcy, N.Y., killing 26 horses and sending two seriously injured horses to Cornell Equine Hospital.
The Maynard Fire Department arrived on the scene to find 36 horses trapped inside the burning barn. Firefighters cut exit holes in the 10,000 square foot building in an attempt to herd the horses to safety.
According to Chief Bill Gagnon of the Maynard Fire Department the barn's location off of the road made it difficult to access with firefighting equipment. Strong winds fed the fire, complicating efforts to extinguish the blaze.
Ten of the 36 horses survived the blaze and are being housed at surrounding farms.
A relief fund has been created to assist the equine and human members of the Burgundy Hill community and help owners Michelle and Arlene Kreimeyer rebuild the barn. Checks can be sent to Kreimeyer/Burgundy Hill Relief Fund, P.O. Box 133, Marcy, NY 13403. To donate by credit card or PayPal account or for more information, visit www.burgundyhillfarmfirerelief.com.
