COCONUT CREEK, FLA. (WSVN) - A horse was killed and another was injured another after fierce flames tore through a barn in Coconut Creek, leaving a family devastated.
Coconut Creek Fire Rescue units responded to the scene of the blaze at The Red Stone Ranch, located at 4551 NW 39th Ave., at around 5 a.m. on Thursday.
Cellphone video recorded by a neighbor showed flames erupting in the barn.
The family that resides at the ranch said the stern bark of their dog woke a worker in the barn, ultimately saving the lives of both workers and two of the three animals.
“You know, our caregiver said he was making a dramatically different bark,” said Michelle Patton, one of the ranch’s owners. “He was able to save two out of the three animals.”
Family members told 7News they are heartbroken after learning their horse, Aleah, died in the flames.
7Skyforce hovered above the charred wood structure, where the deceased animal was covered by a tarp in the middle of the remnants.
“She’ll be really missed, you know, we’re sad,” said Patton. “She couldn’t get out.”
Property owners said explaining the tragedy to their children will be tough.
“When you have kids, that are around those – their horses, explaining that to them is tough,” said Andy Cody, another owner of the property, as he fought back tears.
The other horse, Oaks, was left with severe burns, and the family cow barely managed to escape.
“He’s in critical condition,” said Patton of Oaks.
The family said they bought the property back in February, and they were in the process of bulldozing the barn as they were waiting for permits.
They planned to have rescued horses at the ranch and turn it into a petting zoo. The fire, however, left the majority of the structure scorched, so now those plans have been put on hold.
State fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire, although the owners of the ranch believe it was caused by a lightning strike.
No humans were injured.
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