Saratoga Springs fire, police called to report of small fire at Saratoga Race Course barn; no damage, injuries detected

The Saratoga Springs fire and police departments responded Tuesday evening to reports of a small fire at a barn at the Oklahoma training track adjacent to Saratoga Race Course, but no damage was found to the barn structure, and while one individual was evaluated at the scene for a "medical concern," no additional injuries to either people or horses were reported.

According to a news release Wednesday morning from the Saratoga Springs Fire Department, the department responded Tuesday at approximately 7:50 p.m. to a reported structure fire at Barn 72, Gate 21, located on the Saratoga Race Course grounds. According to the fire department, "upon arrival, firefighters investigated reports of smoke coming from the barn. Crews located a small fire involving hay in the barn's loft area that had already been extinguished by a New York Racing Association fire marshal using a portable fire extinguisher. Firefighters confirmed that the fire had been extinguished, checked for any extension into surrounding materials, and removed the affected hay to ensure there was no risk of rekindle."

There was no damage reported to the structure. One individual, according to the fire department, was evaluated by Saratoga Springs Fire Department EMS personnel "for a medical concern at the scene," but no additional injuries were reported.

Horses were not evacuated and NYRA said that stabling operations at Barn 72 - which houses thoroughbred horses trained by James Ryerson, according to the Saratoga summer meet's official barn list - were unaffected. 

According to the fire department, "because the circumstances surrounding the fire were considered suspicious, the scene was secured and turned over to the state Office of Fire Prevention and Control for investigation," in cooperation with the Saratoga Springs police and fire departments. The fire's cause remains under investigation.

The report of the small fire came a little more than a month after the devastating barn fire that killed 17 horses stabled just down the road at the Saratoga Casino Hotel harness track.

In the aftermath of that June 16 fire, the state Gaming Commission convened a panel to review the circumstances that led to the blaze and scrutinize fire prevention and suppression infrastructure at the horse barns at all 11 tracks located in the state. In launching the panel, the commission said that all tracks operated by NYRA - Saratoga Race Course, Belmont Park and the recently-closed Aqueduct, "are equipped with fire prevention and suppression measures."

Earlier this month, in an update on the panel's activities, the Gaming Commission announced that it was requiring all tracks in the state to "install functioning smoke, fire, and heat alarms in all barns immediately, and ensure appropriate staffing to sense, find and react to triggered alarms."

In that update, the Commission noted that Saratoga Race Course was, along with Belmont Park, Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs, one of four tracks in the state to "have active, functional hardwired and/or automated heat and smoke detection networks directly linked to central security and/or local emergency services."

Barns at Saratoga Race Course are also equipped with sprinkler systems.

The Gaming Commission said in its announcement that Saratoga Casino Hotel was in the process of installing 12 alarms in each barn, totaling 350. The lawyers who represent the Saratoga Harness Horseperson's Association told the Times Union in the immediate aftermath of the fire that the building did not have smoke and fire alarms nor a sprinkler system.

At around 2 a.m. on June 16, a barn at 25 Nelson Ave. housing standardbred horses owned by trainers Robyn Mangiardi and Tim Benson was engulfed by fire. Only one of the 18 horses stabled at the facility, Twin B Speed Dial, survived the blaze.

The cause of the June 16 fire remains under investigation.

Thursday at Saratoga Race Course, NYRA is holding First Responders Day, which will feature a ceremony honoring three NYRA peace officers - Security Officer Dave Davis, Security Supervisor Willie Otero and Fire Inspector Joseph Cea - as well as representatives from the Saratoga Springs police and fire departments, for their efforts during the June 16 fire, which helped save nearly 20 horses and prevented the fire from spreading to additional barns.

"Amidst the heartbreaking tragedy that day, we witnessed extraordinary courage, professionalism and teamwork," NYRA President and CEO David O'Rourke said in a news release regarding Thursday's event at the track. "Dave Davis, Willie Otero, Joseph Cea, and members of the Saratoga Springs Police and Fire Departments responded without hesitation, placing themselves in harm's way to save horses and protect others. We are proud to recognize their heroism on First Responders Day and to express our gratitude to every first responder who answers the call in moments of crisis."

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