Horses saved by firefighters and staff in stud farm blaze in Limerick

THE QUICK-THINKING of staff and fast response of firefighters ensured around 25 valuable show jumping horses and ponies didn’t perish in a blaze.

The fire in a hay barn attached to stables in Dohyle House Stud in Askeaton broke out around 4.30pm on Friday evening.

Brave staff quickly moved as many of the ponies and horses as they could from stables to a nearby sand arena. Minutes later when firefighters arrived, they entered the smoke-filled stables to rescue the remaining equines.

Firefighters from five Limerick stations rushed to the scene. Three appliances from Rathkeale, one from Foynes, one from Newcastle West and water tankers from Mulgrave Street and Cappamore were all in attendance.

A spokesperson for the Kennedy family, who own Dohyle House Stud, said firefighters arrived “within minutes”. They fought the blaze for over six hours.

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The family spokesperson wished to thank staff, Limerick Fire and Rescue and neighbours.

“It could have been so much worse. Nobody was hurt and the horses and ponies were all fine. We moved them to stables in Adare that night,” said the spokesperson. It is not known how the fire started.

The family spokesperson said staff moved quickly to remove the ponies and horses and when the smoke got too much, the firefighters rescued the remaining valuable equines.

“The firefighters couldn't have been more helpful. Horses and ponies were running all over the place. Neighbours came and helped catch them and brought food that night and the next day.

"It is the way country people are. I know it was a big traumatic accident but it does show the goodness in people,” said the spokesperson.