Horses rescued from overnight fire at Big E

Several horses were evacuated and two escaped their enclosure after a fire tore through a barn at the Big E overnight, according to officials.

Two horses escaped the fire, with one later being captured along Route 5, according to a Facebook post from the handler who owns the horses. The horses named Dante and Ilias both allegedly escaped the fire. Dante suffered minor injuries including a torn muscle, cuts and bruises and road rash in escaping the blaze, according to its handler.

Just before midnight one horse owner was notified by phone of the fire, they wrote on Facebook.

"11:53pm... the phone call NO HORSE PERSON or ANY person wants to get. Jamie...... C barn is on fire. Dante and Ilias are loose but safe. WHAT. Ben and I jumped out of bed.. got dressed and hooked up our trailer and out the door in 6 minutes. I don't think I've ever had so much adrenaline flying through me. We got to West Springfield from North Brookfield in 40 minutes."

Officials said that all horses have ben accounted for and no serious injuries were reported.

"Following the regular operational closure of The Big E on Friday night, a minor fire was reported in C Barn on the grounds of Eastern States Exposition. The horses stabled in C Barn were evacuated immediately. All horses are accounted for, and no serious injuries have been identified," according to Bridget Kelleher, assistant director of marketing for the Big E.

Officials said the fire is being investigated by the West Springfield Fire Association Unit with assistance from the Massachusetts state police assigned to the Fire Marshal's office.

"We are grateful for the prompt response from our team and authorities, plus all exhibitors who are supporting each other during this transition," Kelleher said.

Normal activities will resume today in the coliseum with the 4-H Horse Show, officials said.