A barn fire in southern Logan County early Sunday morning left 18 horses dead and several others injured.
The fire was reported around 4 a.m. by a passerby near Seward Road and South Douglas Boulevard at Orth Ranch. According to the Oklahoma State Fire Marshal, 22 horses were inside the barn at the time. Eighteen did not survive, and one remains in critical condition.
Fire crews from Guthrie, Woodcrest, and Sooner responded to the scene, but officials said several horses were unable to escape the flames.
According to reports, investigators have narrowed the origin of the fire to a couple of stalls inside the barn. At this time, officials say no signs point to arson, and no evidence of a break-in or burglary has been found.
Orth Ranch said in a statement that some of the horses belonged to the ranch, while others were owned by clients. The ranch described the loss as devastating, noting the strong relationships built with both the animals and their owners.
“For anyone who’s spent time in our industry, you know the extent of the connection and time dedicated to these horses,” a social media statement from Orth Ranch said. “These animals were part of our daily lives, and the relationships we have with the people who trusted us with their care make this loss even harder. Our hearts are with our clients who are grieving alongside us.
Among those lost were young horses referred to as “hopefuls,” which were expected to be part of upcoming Old West Futurities sales and play a key role in the future of the operation.
The statement continued, “We ask for patience, prayers, and grace as we navigate the days ahead. Please hold off on questions for now, because we just don’t know. We’ll share more when we’re able.Thank you to everyone who has already reached out.”
The cause remains under investigation, and a full report is expected to take several weeks.
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