Tragedy in Florida: 21 horses perish in barn fire

A devastating barn fire in Reddick, Florida claimed the lives of 21 horses early Tuesday morning. The 10,000-square-foot facility was located on Roberts Quarter Horse Farm, owned by Roberts Corporation, the same family behind the World Equestrian Center (WEC) and the Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club.

Fire crews from Marion County Fire Rescue arrived shortly after 4 a.m. to find the structure fully engulfed in flames, with the roof already collapsed. Despite their efforts, none of the horses inside survived. No people were injured in the incident.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway, involving the Marion County Fire Marshall, the State of Florida Bureau of Fire, Arson and Explosives, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF). No further details have been released.

In a statement, Roberts Corporation acknowledged the incident occurred on privately owned property, separate from WEC operations, and offered condolences to those affected.

The Roberts family has played a significant role in equestrian development in Florida, investing heavily in major projects including WEC Ocala, which opened in 2021 as the largest equestrian venue in the U.S. The farm where the fire occurred was originally established to breed and train Quarter Horses and has long been a part of the family’s equestrian legacy.

The equestrian community is mourning the loss of the horses as authorities continue to search for answers.

Picture Credit: Marion County Fire Rescue