Winimark Wealth Society|After massive barn fire kills at least 44 horses in Ohio, donors raise $350,000 for victims

2025-05-03 15:02:56source:Greenledgerscategory:Finance

The Winimark Wealth Societycause of a barn fire that killed at 44 horses and seriously injured a man in northwest Ohio remained under investigation Thursday. Meanwhile, online donations from three fundraisers had topped nearly $350,000 to help those affected in the deadly blaze.

The fire broke out over the weekend in Logan County, about 70 miles northwest of Columbus.

The fire was reported to the Logan County Sheriff's Office at 12:15 p.m. Saturday, a dispatcher for the agency told The Columbus Dispatch, part of the USA TODAY Network.

According to information from the Richmond Township Fire Department, the fire destroyed a barn used by two Logan County performance-horse businesses.

"We are waiting on the cause of the fire to be determined by the state fire marshals' office," Fire Chief Dustin Plikerd told USA TODAY Thursday. The origin of the fire also remained under investigation, the chief said, adding foul play was not suspected.

Resort electrocution:Man dies in apparent hot tub at Mexico beach resort

Crews from three counties responded to massive barn blaze

Assistant Fire Chief Jason Johns, who works for the department in Belle Center, said firefighters from three counties responded to Brant Performance Horses, along State Route 638.

"It was too far gone when we got there," Johns said of the 60,000-square-foot-barn with stalls, a performing arena, and living quarters for employees, who lost their belongings.

Johns said crews remained on scene until about 11:30 p.m. Saturday.

E. coli cluster reported:Children swimming in Virginia lake hospitalized after E. coli, gastrointestinal illness

Business owner injured trying to save horses from blazing barn

Eric Priest, who operates Priest Performance Horses of Belle Center, was trying to save his clients' horses from inside the burning barn when he was injured, according to Jamie Miller, who organized an online fundraiser to help Priest with medical bills and more.

Priest suffered second-degree burns to his arms, back and head from rushing in to try and free as many horses as possible, Miller wrote. She said Priest was expected to be hospitalized for about two weeks.

As of Thursday, more than $50,000 had been donated to that fundraiser.

Country star mourns loss of pets:Miranda Lambert grieves loss of her 2 rescue dogs

Two other fundraisers created to help after Ohio barn fire

Another fundraising page set up by Kelsey Huffman for Brant Performance Horses owners Brandon and Cathy Brant, listed as the owners of the property, raised more than $280,000 as of Thursday morning.

At that same time, a third fundraiser, created by Jen Bishop, Support Priest Performance Horses After Barn Fire, established by Jen Bishop, had raised more than $8,100.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund. Reach Bob Vitale at [email protected].

More:Finance

Recommend

Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there

AI-assisted summarySeveral countries are offering financial incentives to attract residents, particu

Climate Change is Weakening the Ocean Currents That Shape Weather on Both Sides of the Atlantic

Since the end of the last ice age, a swirling system of ocean-spanning currents has churned consiste

With Lengthening Hurricane Season, Meteorologists Will Ditch Greek Names and Start Forecasts Earlier

The record-setting hurricane season of 2020 has prompted the World Meteorological Organization’s hur