Three horses and other animals died following a barn fire at the Fox Field Farm on Friday morning in Branford.
The Branford Fire Department responded in bitter cold temperatures and icy conditions with horses trapped inside of the barn at the Fox Field Farm at 103 Cherry Hill Road at 10 a.m.
According to Branford Fire Department news release on social media, the first truck was on scene within four minutes and found the 75-foot by 40-foot barn “was heavily involved in fire.”
Firefighters fought the fire from outside of the barn but were unable to enter because of extreme heat and heavy smoke conditions.
The barn was occupied with four horses and several smaller animals and the farm owner rescued one of the horses, but the man was “forced out by rapidly deteriorating conditions.”
The farm owner was treated on scene by Branford Fire Department EMS and was transported to Yale New Haven Hospital for evaluation, according to the Branford Fire Department.
According to the Branford Fire Department, firefighters were able to “prevent the fire from extending to an adjacent garage and nearby residence.”
One Branford firefighter was injured with burns to his hands and arms because the extreme heat went through his protective equipment. The firefighter was treated and released from Yale New Haven Hospital Shoreline Medical Center and needs follow-up care.
On-scene mutual aid was provided by the Guilford Fire Department, and the East Haven Fire Department covered the Branford fire stations during the incident. The fire remains under investigation.
“The Chambers family, well-established and deeply respected members of the Branford community and former owners of Shelly’s Garden Center, suffered the heartbreaking loss of cherished animals in this fire. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time, and we extend our full support as they face yet another challenge,” the Branford Fire Department said in a statement.
A GoFundMe was set up for the family and had raised over $71,000 as of Sunday morning. The account was set up the family’s neighbor.
According to the GoFundMe the three horses lost in the fire were named Merlin, Willow and Norman. Also, rabbits, guinea pigs and cats were lost in the barn fire.