Arson suspected as three GC fire departments respond to over three dozen burning bales of round hay at Wings on a Prayer therapeutic riding stables

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Friday afternoon at 4:00, the Falls of Rough Fire Department responded to the 1200 block of Gibson Road on the report of over three dozen round bales of hay on fire. Law enforcement was also requested because the property’s owner believed the fire was intentionally set.

Upon arriving on the scene, firefighters found over 30 round bales of hay on fire at the Wings on a Prayer therapeutic riding stables. A residence and another structure sat about 50 yards from the blaze.

Falls of Rough fire requested the Leitchfield and Caneyville Fire Departments to help extinguish the growing fire.

Spraying water onto the burning bales appeared to only extinguish the outer layers of the hay, as the inside of the hay bales continued to smolder and burn. But two Good Samaritans, Gary Arrant and Gary Gibson, arrived with tractors to help firefighters separate the large bales. As each bale was separated from the large group of bales, firefighters peeled back the layers of hay to allow the fire to burn itself out, while also dousing each bale with water.

The fire, labeled as “very suspicious” by Falls of Rough Fire Chief David Mercer, was investigated by Grayson County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Fred Norder who said the fire was likely arson. A suspect has been interviewed, but no arrests have yet been made.

The bales of hay were all donated, according to the property owner.

There were no injuries reported and firefighters cleared the scene at 7:00.

By Ken Howlett, News Director

Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000