3rd Fire in 4 Years at Kentucky Horse Barn, Arson not Suspected

A fire at a barn in western Kentucky killed six horses, though rescuers were able to save 19 from the blaze.

The fire at the former Riverside Downs in Henderson was extinguished by Friday evening. State police are investigating the fire, but said they don’t suspect arson.

Roy Parcher, who works in a barn near the fire, helped rescue some of the horses. He said he could hear horses screaming as he and another employee ran into the barn to try to get at the animals.

The horses were being kept at the stable after Ellis Park closed for training, the Henderson Gleaner reported.

It was the third fire in just over four years at the property.

A fire in December 2003 killed 22 horses in a barn at the nearby boarding and training facility. The cause of that fire was determined to be electrical.