Minn. farm owner burned trying to save horses from barn fire

ROGERS, Minn. (KMSP) - A Minnesota horse farm owner suffered severe burns while attempting to rescue his horses from a fire that erupted in his barn late Monday afternoon. 

The fire started at Grace Farms, a family-owned dressage training and boarding facility situated on 24 acres near Rogers, Minn. Chris Leatherdale, one of the owners of the farm, suffered 3rd degree burns on over 40 percent of his body while attempting to save his animals from the blaze, according to a post on the farms’ Facebook page. He is expected to be in the hospital for three to four months. 

Three horses were killed in the fire and the main barn and attached riding arena were destroyed. 

The fire appears to have been started by the careless use of matches, according to the Rogers Fire Department. The state fire marshal and the Rogers fire and police departments are continuing to investigate the fire.