25 Renpaarden levend verbrand in stallen in Trieux (Frankrijk)

Prize-winning race horses burn to death in France

Twenty five horses yesterday burned to death in a fire at one of France’s leading equestrian centres.

10-11-2008 By Peter Allen in Paris, Daily Telegraph, UK

More than 100 firemen fought to save the animals, many of them prize winners, during the devastating blaze at Trieux, in the Lorraine region, on the north-eastern border with Germany. Pascal Santoni, director of the Trieux Equestrian Centre where the fire broke out early on Sunday morning, said: “I went to the centre as quickly as I could when the alarm went off.

“All the stables were burnt, with twenty five horses dead. They were able to save four, apparently.
“All the stables were destroyed, even the roofs. The barn where the horses were kept was burned to a cinder. It’s still smoking this morning.
“The firemen are still here. A security cordon has been put around the stables because it’s still very dangerous.”

Mr Santoni said he had “no idea” what caused the fire.

All of the horses belonged to the centre and were used to train riders and to take part in competitions.
Many had won prizes in equestrian competitions held all over Europe.

Police have opened an enquiry and foul play has not been ruled out.

(Bron: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/)