Four horses have died in a stable fire, the cause of which is under investigation.
Three Essex County Fire & Rescue Service crews, from Harlow, Old Harlow and Leaden Roding, were called to reports of the blaze at the yard in Wood Row, Hatfield Brown Oak, on Sunday at about 11.15am (31 May).
Watch manager Mark Nevill, Leaden Roding Fire Station, said: “When we arrived, a row of stables and surrounding hedgerow were completely alight.
“Water supplies were difficult, so it was necessary to set up a water shuttle to help us fight the fire.
“Our firefighters worked extremely hard in difficult conditions to bring the fire under control and extinguish it.
“Sadly, four horses died at the scene.”
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The fire was out by 1.55pm and an initial investigation into its cause was carried out that afternoon.
A spokesman for the fire service told H&H: “The investigation into the fire found it to be caused accidentally.”
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Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.
