At least nine horses died and a ranch caretaker was hospitalized suffering from smoke inhalation in an early morning Monday fire that destroyed a $2.4 million arena and stable complex in Douglas County.

Investigators with the Franktown Fire Department, the ATF, the Colorado Fire Prevention and Control and the Douglas County Sheriffs are in the initial stages of determining the cause of the blaze. Officials advised that livestock facilities are known to store combustible substances which may have contributed to the extreme heat of the fire.

“They house hay, straw, and wood. It’s been a long time since we’ve suffered or seen anything like this,” said Franktown Fire Chief Dave Woodrick. Barn dust may have also strengthened the blaze. 

According to Douglas County officials, the smoke plume and glow from the fire was visible for miles.

The Franktown Fire Department received the call at 3:56 a.m. from a monitored alarm system, Woodrick said, and arrived at the arena near North Russellville Road and north Colorado Highway 83 in 12 minutes to find the caretaker trying to save the horses. 

It’s estimated that the stables could house 16 horses, but the exact number of animals that died or were injured in the fire is unknown.  

Woodrick said the area is so rural there was no fire hydrant, so two fire trucks had to make trips transporting 50,000 gallons of water in an effort to douse flames which had engulfed the buildings.

Adding to the firefighting difficulty were overnight temperatures in the lower teens which froze water spraying from the fire hoses and then alternately the heat from the fire thawed the streams, Woodrick explained.

Firefighters from Franktown, Castle Rock, Elizabeth and South Metro Fire saved a house on the 35-acre property.

“We were able to keep the house from burning as well as the immediate trees in the area,” Woodrick said. 

According to the Douglas County Assessor’s Office, the area and stables at 854 North Russellville Road was a large facility, measuring more than 32,000 square feet. It included an attached apartment which was separate from the house that was saved. The property sits on 35 acres, according to Douglas County Assessor Toby Damisch.  

The horse community in Franktown was shocked by the news.

Erica Goetz, who owns a private boarding facility in nearby Sedalia, said that the incident was one of “our worst fears coming true.”  Horse trainers, groomers and riders were grieving Monday.

“Clearly, this loss is devastating for everyone in the community,” Goetz said.  

In an email statement sent to The Denver Gazette, Sarah Watkins, head trainer for Watkins Equestrian said: “Watson Equestrian is heartbroken over the tragic loss of our beloved horses and appreciate the outpouring of love and support our community is providing. At this time we please ask for privacy.” 

The Colorado Hunter Jumper Association and Foundation made a call out to raise money to help those who were affected by the fire.  

Anyone who would like to donate can find more information here:   https://www.chja.org/colorado-hunter-jumper-foundation.