#Two horses killed after blaze in barn at Belmont Park

Two racehorses were killed when a fire broke out at a Belmont Park barn Tuesday night.

The Long Island barn caught ablaze just after 6:00 p.m., and 58 other horses were safely evacuated by New York Racing Association personnel, officials said in a press release.

The flames were contained to Belmont’s Barn 60, which houses horses under the care of trainers, NYRA said. The deceased animals were not immediately identified, and no people were injured.

“The tragic loss of both horses will be deeply felt by the hard working women and men of the New York racing community, who dedicate themselves to the sport and to the care of these equine athletes,” said Dave O’Rourke, NYRA President & CEO. “That collective dedication and sense of community was on display this evening, when the heroic and selfless response of so many prevented further loss and saved the lives of dozens of horses.”

The Elmont Fire Department put out the blaze and state and local officials are investigating the cause of the fire, according to the release.

Racing season at Belmont Park is scheduled to begin on April 22.