Dozens of Horses Perish In Chicago-Area Stable Fire

More than 30 horses died in a stable fire in suburban Chicago over the weekend, with distraught owners of the animals arriving Sunday to lay flowers at the site, a fire department official said. The fire Saturday occurred 50 miles northwest of Chicago at Valley View Acres, a boarding facility that also breeds and trains thoroughbreds and show-jumping horses, and offers riding lessons to children. As firefighters arrived before midnight Saturday, the stable’s owners were running around the burning complex looking for ways to lead horses to safety as the two-story structure collapsed, Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Chief Paul Deraedt said in a phone interview.