WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – At around 11 p.m. Friday, shortly after The Big E closed for the night, a small fire broke out in one of the horse stables. The animals housed in the building fled the scene shortly after the sprinkler system put out the blaze.
A barn fire at The Big E exhibition center shortly after closing time caused turmoil among horse owners on Friday evening.
Western Mass News spoke with Anne-Alise Pietruska, interim marketing director for the Eastern States Exposition, about a groundsman’s quick action to save the horses in the C Barn stables.
“When an exhibitor on site saw the smoke and realized what was going on, he went into the barn and opened as many stalls as he could,” she said.
According to the West Springfield Fire Department, the fire was largely contained by the sprinkler system, but some of the horses housed in the stable were displaced.
“The horses were frightened by the sprinkler system, which immediately put out the fire, allowing some horses to be brought to safety later that night,” Pietruska told us.
Big E officials told us that all of the horses that had run away have been found. They are waiting for clearance so that the horses can be brought back into the building.
“We will be moving the 4A tour show tonight to the Coliseum, so there will be a small change in the program,” Pietruska explained.
We were also informed that some employees suffered minor injuries.
“There were some injuries among ESE on-site employees and contractors. They were treated and all are on the road to recovery.”
During the fire, only minor damage was caused to the stables, which are still being operated as usual. The cause of the fire is currently being investigated.
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