CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — Investigators continue to determine what caused a fire at a stable that killed two dozen horses.
The fire broke out around 11:45 pm Wednesday night in the 1800 block of Noah's Ark Road.
The stable, which was built from wood and concrete, was a total loss. Only one horse out of 24 survived the fire, a horse who was named Huarache, but has now been rechristened, appropriately, Survivor.
Firefighters tried to knock the fire down as quickly as possible, but they couldn't get those 24 horses out.
Clayton Fire Battalion Chief Laura Richardson says their owners were inconsolable.
"Everyone knows your animals are your family members," Richardson said. "So it's just as devastating and just as heartbreaking as if they had lost family members."
While fire officials focus on the investigation, the family is focused on picking up the pieces. Cleanup efforts will for some time, and while crews have no idea how long that will take, the owners say they will rebuild.
