The investigation into a $200,000 barn fire southwest of Olds a month ago has so far failed to determine the exact cause, although foul play is not suspected, says Olds fire Chief Lorne Thompson.
Two horses were killed when fire swept through the barn at Mountain View Stables Ranch on Twp. Rd. 32.2 near Rge. Rd 21 early on the morning of Nov. 5. There were no reports of injuries.
A holiday trailer and a shed were also destroyed in the blaze.
“We've conducted our investigation and it is not suspicious,” Thompson said Wednesday. “We have identified an area of origin, where there was electrical stuff, the fuse panels. One of the challenges we are facing is that it was so hot. It was like a crematorium and everything is just ash.
“We've packaged everything up and sent it to the insurance company and they will send it away to a lab to see if one of those things failed. At least we know where it started.”
About 20 firefighters from Olds, Didsbury and Carstairs spent more than three hours battling the blaze after receiving a 911 call.
Thompson said it could be months before he hears back from the insurance company.
