An arrest was made for arson after 30 horses died in a fire at the Tioga Downs Casino (Screenshot from NBC Elmira, New York, affiliate WETM-TV)
A man has been arrested for setting a fire that killed 30 racehorses and caused thousands of dollars worth of damage at the Tioga Downs Casino complex in New York.
Boyd H. Fenton, 32, was arrested on Thursday after a fire at a barn at the Tioga Downs Casino complex. He has been charged with arson in the third degree, burglary, criminal mischief and assault, New York State police said in a news release.
Fenton entered the barn early Thursday morning at the facility in Nichols, 150 northwest of New York City, and intentionally set a fire, prompting a response from police and multiple fire agencies, authorities said. A person who entered the burning barn to try to save horses suffered second-degree burns and was hospitalized.
Fenton was being held at the Tioga County Correctional Facility.
“The New York State Police would like to offer condolences to affected individuals and families that lost their beloved animals during this tragic incident,” the agency said in the news release.
“We are deeply saddened by today’s tragedy, it was a loss no one could have imagined or expected,” said Jeff Gural, chairman of American Racing and Entertainment LLC, which operates the Tioga Downs Casino Resort complex. “It is an active investigation, so we are not able to comment any further at this time.”
The equestrian community mourned the loss of the horses.
“To horsemen across the world, I know you’re grieving and mourning,” wrote Jessica Hallett, who is collecting stories and photos of the horses on Facebook. “It’s hard to walk into any barn and not think of Tioga. It’s hard to watch any race and not think of Tioga. They are there, and they are with us.
“To the horsemen directly impacted, we are all thinking of you. Nothing will help to erase the pain you are feeling, but everyone would like to add as much comfort and support as they can.”
They are more than just 30 horses, she said.
“They are more than racehorses. They were loved and cared for. They had names and nicknames and personalities. I think everyone should know that.”
Cindy Tuttle Allers said on Facebook words cannot describe the absolute devastation and heartbreak.
“These were not just racehorses,” she wrote. “They were our world, our family, my best friends. We loved each and every one of them as if they were our own.”
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