Albany Therapeutic Riding Center seeks help after fire

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – A large fire broke out Thursday evening at the Albany Therapeutic Riding Center. No injuries were reported, all people and animals are safe. But now the non-profit is seeking help to rebuild.

Fire investigators were still on the scene Friday afternoon searching for what caused that fire. 

It happened Thursday, just after 6:00 P.M. The fire broke out in a storage barn where the non-profit kept hay and all the utility equipment to run the farm.

“We are not really sure what happened. We were holding some lessons last night. And some of our instructors just said that they smelt something a little funny and looked over at the storage barn and it was in flames so they acted as quickly as they could. They got the horses out all of the riders and any volunteers who were around, came over to a secure safe place and called 911,” said Taylor Huntley, who is the executive director at the center, where they promote the benefits of horse therapy and help people of all ages and abilities with physical, mental and emotional development.

“We are going to need some help when it comes to just caring for the horses the next few weeks, months. We’re just gonna have to try to rebuild,” said Huntley.

Inside that barn were things like lawnmowers, a four wheeler, grain and six months worth of hay. It’s all a total loss.

“We have the most amazing community of people and I’m probably going to cry now but.. First responders were amazing. Our staff is amazing. We are surrounded by so much love from our volunteers, any supporters and thank you to everyone who’s been here to help,” said Huntley.

Help that they’re seeking through a GoFundMe account. Huntley said she’s not too worried about rebuilding because they’re surrounded by a great community that knows the importance of the work they do. 

“We’ve had a ton of people who have reached out and we haven’t really been able to answer any messages yet so thank you to all who have reached out to try to help. We are covered right now for hay,” said Huntley.

People are already stepping in to help. Not only did a local farmer bring a fresh delivery of hay but he’s also left a trailer for it to be stored in, while the barn gets rebuilt.