There are some emergency calls that first responders never forget. While many involve rescuing people, others require officers to run toward danger for animals that have no way of escaping on their own.
Barn fires are especially devastating because frightened horses often don’t react the way people expect. Instead of running from danger, many freeze in place, making every second of a rescue even more critical.
That was the situation officers encountered during the early morning hours of June 16 at the Saratoga Casino barns in Saratoga Springs, New York. What started as a reported structure fire quickly became a race against time to save dozens of terrified horses.
According to the Saratoga Springs Police Department, officers and New York Racing Association security personnel managed to rescue about 10 horses from a neighboring barn before the flames spread. Tragically, 17 horses were unable to escape and lost their lives in the fire.
The Last Horse Needed an Escort Away From the Flames
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The video is shot from an officer’s body camera and shows him running towards what appears to be a farm in flames. He then approaches a few other officers who all convene for a moment about what to do about several horses that are still in a stable on the property.
He can then be seen going through different stables and releasing the animals as quickly as possible before the flames can get any closer. What’s really wild is that the entire incident is lit solely by the roaring flames engulfing the area directly next to them.
There’s even a point when you can hear someone, presumably someone who was working at the farm and helping the officers, say, “I don’t even care if they run loose,” referring to ensuring the animals get off the property.
However, the very last horse seemed not to belong to the farm, so the officers were instructed to at least escort that one away, which they were successfully able to do.
Viewers Praise the Rescue While Mourning the 17 Horses Lost
Many horse owners admitted they almost couldn’t bring themselves to watch the body camera footage because they knew how heartbreaking the situation would be. One commenter who had worked with horses for years said hearing trapped horses in a fire would have been too much, adding, “Thank you for getting the ones out that you could.”
Others praised the officers’ bravery while also pointing out how difficult horse rescues can be. Several explained that horses often refuse to leave their stalls during a fire, while another remarked that it was remarkable the rescued animals trusted complete strangers with “weird lights and noises” to lead them to safety.
Several commenters wondered what caused the fire and whether more preventative measures could have reduced the loss of life. Others suggested installing additional alarms, practicing evacuation drills, or stationing personnel near the barns overnight, while ending their thoughts by mourning the 17 horses that perished and thanking everyone who helped save the rest.