Fire destroys Slidell barn, nine horses killed

SLIDELL, La. (WGNO) — An early Saturday morning fire at Lewis Stables in Slidell left several horse owners heartbroken.  St. Tammany Assistant Chief of Fire Prevention Brian Macaluso says when they arrived, it was already fully engulfed in flames.

“We were trying to attack the fire from just our side of it, but also attack it from the inside of the existing barn. Okay, because we’re trying to make sure that this fire doesn’t go any further,” said Macaluso.

Most horses made it out, but nine were killed in the fire.

Caretaker Greg Lewis is still lost for words after losing three of his four horses. Victoria and Durand Louis got the news that they lost all four of their horses right after celebrating their Halloween wedding.

All three say the horses were part of their family.  

“Some of them were in Mardi Gras parades before I got them, and they did several parades with me and my daughter. They are part of your family,” said Lewis.

“We always put our best foot forward whenever we came up with our horses. Always shined up looking good, nice and thick,” said Durand Louis.

“Whether it was washing them, braiding them down for parades, for second lines, feeding them,” said Victoria Lewis.

For the Lewis family, Prince was a part of how they first met.

“I didn’t see him. He had on a hoodie. He had on a beanie and his back was with me. I literally saw the horse, and here I got a ring,” said Victoria Lewis.

Lewis says while it hurts that his animals didn’t make it, his horses brought joy to his daughter’s life.

 “She loved her horse. To see that when they’re alive. It meant a lot,” said Durand Louis.

The owners have different stances on ever riding again.

“It’ll be tough if I ever get back in the saddle and ride on. At the moment, I’m not riding. Too much of a loss,” said Lewis.

 “I’m never going to stop riding. You see me? I ride that bareback, with the saddle. Nothing can stop me. But it’s going to take some time,” said Durand Louis.

At this time, no cause has been identified as crews continue to investigate the fire.

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