24 Horses Die In Race Track Fire; PA Man Charged With Arson

PENNSYLVANIA — A Pennsylvania man faces arson charges in connection with a barn fire at an upstate New York racetrack that caused the death of at least 24 horses, officials said.

Boyd H. Fenton of Bradford County is accused of entering a barn at the Tioga Downs Casino Resort in Nichols on Thursday and setting fire to it, New York State Police said. The 32-year-old Athens man faces charges of arson, burglary, criminal mischief, and assault, local media reports said.

State police said a person tried to save horses from the burning barn and suffered second-degree burns, before going to the hospital for treatment, according to reports from WENY-TV and WBNG-TV. The fire caused thousands of dollars’ worth of damage, as well as killing numerous horses, the reports said.

Officials did not make clear what Fenton’s relationship to the race track was, or any motive. He is currently being held in the Tioga County Correctional Facility in New York, officials added.

Jeff Gural, majority owner of Tioga Downs, said racetrack staff are “deeply saddened” by the tragedy.

“It was a loss no one could have imagined or expected,” said Gural in a statement. “We would like to express our sincere gratitude for all of the first responders who rushed to our aid; we have a wonderful community and we are honored to be a part of it.”

A GoFundMe raising money for the horsemen has raised almost $80,000 as of Friday morning.