Massive McHenry County Stable Fire Claims Lives of 32 Horses

A stable fire claimed the lives of almost three dozen horses Saturday night in McHenry County, near Woodstock. Firefighters were called to Valley View Acres at 10:53 p.m. and they battled the blaze for two hours.

Firefighters believe 32 horses perished in the fire; 37 horses were stabled there, according to NBC Chicago.

Tyson and Amber Bauman have owned Valley View Acres for eight years. Their 15-year-old son was home when the fire broke out and he heard “crackling sounds,” according to Crystal Lake Fire Chief Paul Deraedt. “He looked out the window and saw the fire.”

Deraedt said putting out the blaze was difficult. Due to a lack of fire hydrants, Crystal Lake summoned assistance and more than a dozen northwest suburban fire departments responded.

“There was a lot of hay – there was a lot of stuff – and it’s going to be a while until we can sort all this out,” Deraedt told NBC Chicago. “A vet will be coming in to identify the horses.”

The horses that escaped were found in a nearby pasture.

The losses could exceed $1 million in value.

“It was an honor for us to buy it,” Tyson Bauman told the Northwest Herald on Sunday morning. “It’s my wife’s passion. She grew up riding here when she was little.”

The Baumans’ board horses and offer riding lessons at the stable.

A trainer at Valley View Acres, Leah Sweetwood, said the horses understand the magnitude of the tragedy.

“They know,” she told the Herald. “You could see it in their eyes.”