Barn fire claims 40 horses

About 40 horses died in a fire early Sunday at R & J Horse Sales in Verndale.

The fire, reported at 6 a.m., was located in the southwest side of the complex, located on Highway 10 about a half mile west of Verndale, the Wadena County Sheriff's Department reported. The business is owned by Ron Sundby.

The total amount of dollar value loss wasn't known Sunday afternoon, the sheriff's department reported, but the fire damaged a section of barn containing about 40 horses, the sales and tack area, the kitchen area and the office.

The horses belonged to participants in a weekend horse show, Deputy Bryan Savaloja said.

"There was a stiff wind, which didn't help," Savaloja said. "It pushed the fire right through the barn."

Added Sheriff Mike Carr: "It became just an inferno inside. It didn't take long to travel from one end to the other."

Firefighters from five fire departments - Verndale, Wadena, Staples, Sebeka and Hewitt - were at the scene until about 11 a.m., the sheriff's department reported. Also assisting were the sheriff's department; the State Patrol; the Wadena, Verndale and Staples police departments; and Tri-County Ambulance.

No other injuries were reported, Carr said.

The cause of the fire had not been determined Sunday and was being investigated by the State Fire Marshal's office. Carr said foul play was not suspected.

Carr said R & J Horse Sales had been in operation for about 25 years and the loss was a detriment for Verndale and Wadena County.

"It's just kind of a sad deal," Carr said. "I've known this family for many years and they're just good people, hard workers. They've worked hard at what they've done."

MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.