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Kentucky barn fire leaves eight horses dead

Trainer was able to pull two horses to safety.

By Danielle Haynes

LEXINGTON, Ky., May 9 (UPI) -- A fire at a Fayette County, Ky., barn Friday killed eight thoroughbred horses and destroyed the structure they were housed in.

The fire started about 1 a.m. at the barn, owned by Kentucky Horse Racing Commission Director John T. Ward. Ward said he was leasing the farm to trainer Gerry Carwood, who was able to get two horses out of the barn safely.

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He was unable to save eight other horses.

"I ran down to the barn and I could hear everybody kicking and screaming, but it was too hot," Carwood said. "I couldn't go in. I tried to go in but I couldn't. The outside barn was on fire and I managed to get those two horses out. I pulled one out of the barn that was on fire. I brought him around to the other horse, opened up his stall and he ran out behind him."

"This is the worst; it doesn't get any worse than this," he added.

Battalion Chief Joe Best said the cause of the fire was under investigation.

One firefighter injured his shoulder while battling the blaze.

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