Firefighters were called to Del Real Stables in the 1100-block of Wheeler Road around 1:15 a.m., Plainfield Deputy Fire Chief Jon Stratton said.
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When they arrived, the west side of a barn was fully engulfed by flames. The fire spread before crews were able to get it under control around 1:45 a.m., Stratton said.
The owner of the stable put out an alert on Facebook asking people to help find 19 missing horses that were let out during the fire. By around 7:30 a.m., he said all of the horses had been accounted for.
Thirty horses were in the barn when the blaze broke out. Eighteen of them died.
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Two horse owners sustained minor injuries. It is unclear whether they were inside the barn when the fire started.
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Nearly seven hours later, crews were still dousing hot spots. The barn was destroyed.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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