2 horses die in Minnesota Equestrian Center fire in Winona
WINONA, Minn. — Flames tore through a building and well-known horse farm near Winona on Thursday afternoon.
The fire at the Minnesota Equestrian Center started around noon and burned for hours, according to the Wilson Fire Department. Roughly a quarter of the 128,000 square-foot building was completely lost, and another third received minor smoke and heat damage.
When crews arrived to the bar on Gilmore Valley Road, they found the first barn in the structure fully engulfed in flames. A residence attached to the front of the building was also heavily involved in the fire. The family living in the residence — a couple and two children — were able to get out safely, according to a GoFundMe.
Roughly 100 crew members worked for over eight hours to contain the flames, officials said. A fire watch was maintained throughout the night by equestrian center staff and fire personnel.
No one was injured, though two horses and one cat died in the fire.
Officials are investigating the cause, but say that preliminary information indicates that it was not suspicious.