By Jackson Cote
masslive.com
TEMPLETON, Mass. — More than a dozen horses were saved from a massive fire that destroyed Liberty-Belle Stables in Templeton earlier this week, according to authorities.
The fire broke out at the stables, a boarding and lesson farm, at 551 Patriots Road shortly before 9:10 p.m. Thursday. Local police were the first ones who arrived at the scene of the blaze, where they saw smoke and fire coming from a house on the property. The large horse training facility was very close by, the State Fire Marshal’s Office said in a statement.
Shortly after firefighters arrived, the fire spread to the training facility, where around six horses were still inside and 15 were just outside. All people and animals made it out safely, and no first responders or civilians were injured, according to the statement.
In the hours that followed, the fire reached a total of five alarms. Fire departments in Ashburnham, Athol, Barre, Fitchburg, Gardner, Hubbardston, Phillipston, Royalston, Westminster and Winchendon responded to help extinguish blaze, the statement said.
The training facility was completely destroyed, but the house was only partially damaged. One person was displaced by the fire, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
“This was the second five-alarm fire we responded to in two weeks,” Templeton fire Chief Dave Dickie said in the statement. “I want to recognize the enormous work put in by Templeton firefighters, Templeton police, and all our mutual aid partners. We’re fortunate and deeply grateful that no injuries were reported.”
The fire remains under investigation by the Templeton Fire Department, District 8 Fire Investigation Unit and State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Section assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office.
Working with mutual aid partners: Effective mutual aid agreements are built on professional relationships, shared goals, and trust.
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