Several horses killed in Montebello stable fire

MONTEBELLO, Calif. (KABC) -- Several animals were killed in a stable fire in Montebello early Sunday, according to officials from the Montebello Fire Department.

The blaze broke out at an outdoor wooden horse stable at about midnight in the 300 block of Bluff Road, authorities said.

Ten of 32 horses were killed after the fire spread to about four stables, officials said. Some chickens in the barn next door were also killed, but authorities said no civilians were hurt.

Montebello FD officials said it took fire crews about two hours to put out the blaze, and a major issue for them was getting access to the fire.

"...It's an open, wood stable with a corrugated metal roof atop of it, so it made it very difficult for us to get into the area and put it out. The area that burnt is about 120 feet by 170 feet -that was enclosed under a roof," said Montebello FD Battalion Chief Richard Frederickson.

Breeders and friends were helping the homeowner locate surviving horses that were able to escape the deadly fire.

"I'm happy but at the same time it sucks for a lot of people because, you know, it's like these horses, like I said, it's family...I mean, if I had enough money, I'd buy them a new one, but it's not the same, you know," said Jose Sandoval, one of the breeders.

The cause of the fire was under investigation, and police said they were looking into the homeless population in the area for leads.