(6-9-24) Just after 12:15 PM Saturday, all Logan County Departments were called to a horse barn on State Route 638, just outside Belle Center, Ohio.

Logan County Sheriff’s Department reports the barn was engulfed in flames and that 100 plus horses were inside and has reportedly killed some 43 horses and injured an employee who was trying to save them Saturday afternoon at Brant Performance & Priest Performance Horses, 8755 State Route 638, Belle Center, Ohio.

The injury victim was taken to Mary Rutan Hospital and later was transferred to OSU Wexner Medical Center in Columbus. Information about his identity, the extent of his injuries and current condition were not immediately available.

The 60,000 square-foot barn was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived and is considered a “total loss”.

The cause of the blaze has yet to be determined and damage is estimated to be in excess of $1 million

Logan County Sheriff’s deputies closed traffic on S.R. 638 in the area as firetrucks, tankers and other equipment and personnel came to the scene.

Fire fighters used a private pond along State Route 273 west of Belle Center to fill tanker trucks to supply water to fight the blaze.

Employees of the facility lost their living quarters and belongings.

The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the fire.