Six racehorses killed in trailer fire

Published Apr. 17, 2011 6:14 p.m. ET

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North Carolina investigators say a discarded cigarette may have sparked a trailer fire on Interstate 95 that killed six thoroughbred racehorses.

One of the first firefighters on the scene said the trailer was fully engulfed when they arrived and the horses appeared to have died already.

Ronald Cobb, assistant chief of operations at West Mount Volunteer Fire Department, says the driver was tipped off by other motorists that there was smoke coming from the trailer.

State Trooper K.B. Heath told the News & Observer of Raleigh that a discarded cigarette may have ignited hay and blankets in the trailer. No electrical problems with the truck were found.

The New York Daily News reported that the horses were bound for training at Belmont Park.

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