Ten horses were killed after an overnight fire consumed stables in Montebello early Sunday morning, fire officials said.
The fire was reported just after midnight in the 300 block of Bluff Road, Montebello Fire Department said.
Multiple calls were made reporting the visible flames and plume of smoke that were visible from miles away.
Firefighters faced up to 60-foot flames, as terrified horses ran for safety. Responding crews first let the horses out, then fought the fire for more than an hour.
"They were running, they were very scared," said Montebello Fire Department Battalion Chief Richard Frederickson. "Consequently, our firefighters were pretty nervous about the big animals running around while they're trying to get their work done."
Frederickson said that 10 horses in the stables did not make it out alive but 22 were rescued to safety.
It was too early to determine the cause of the fire, Frederickson said.
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No other injuries were reported. The fire remains under investigation.
