8 Horses Believed Dead In Beecher Barn Fire

BEECHER, IL — Several horses survived, but eight others are unaccounted for and presumed dead after a fire engulfed a barn in Beecher Wednesday, Will County Sheriff's police said.

The fire was called in just before 9:30 a.m., in the 200 block of West Delite Inn Road in Beecher, Washington Township. Sheriff's police and firefighters from multiple departments were on scene.

The owners were able to remove several horses from the burning barn, but eight others were not accounted for and believed dead, according to the Will County Sheriff's office.

Initial reports indicate that the owners had been burning wood on the north side of the barn when the wind increased and proceeded to catch some hay inside the barn on fire. The fire spread very quickly, according to reports.

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Fire departments responded including Beecher, Manhattan, Crete, Park Forest, University Park, Kankakee, Grant Park, Crown Point, St. Anne and others.

Fire departments remained at the scene Wednesday afternoon and continued to work on any hot spots that may appear. The Illinois State Fire Marshal was en route to the scene Wednesday afternoon. Will County Animal Control is also at the scene and are checking on the well-being of the surviving horses.