A 91原创 senior was severely injured when she tried to save six horses from a sudden fire at a local horse boarding facility.

Sandy Herring lived above the barn and rushed downstairs when she smelled smoke to open the stalls for the horses. Unfortunately, the second stall wouldn鈥檛 budge, and the barn collapsed on top of her and the horse still inside. Herring suffered severe burns to her back and face, and the horse was found dead among the rubble.

It鈥檚 believed one of the horses in a stall Herring opened hadn鈥檛 made it out of the barn in time.

Four of the six horses in the barn, however, were saved thanks to Herring鈥檚 efforts.

Three additional horses in a nearby outbuilding were unharmed, and have been relocated temporarily to the neighbour鈥檚 property.

Herring鈥檚 daughter, Stacey, also suffered burns to her face.

North Otter resident and longtime friend Krystle Mende set up an online fundraiser to support the mother and daughter team.

鈥淭hey aren鈥檛 covered for the loss of revenue. I鈥檓 sure insurance eventually will rebuild the barn, but that doesn鈥檛 mean it鈥檚 going to provide for them or reimburse all the hay, the tools, and everything else that they lost,鈥� Mende explained.

Mende met Herring 18 years ago when she brought one of her horses to her boarding facility.

鈥淪he鈥檚 just absolutely 91原创enal, a sweet, little old lady. She always finds a spot [for my horses]鈥� she just takes care of the horses like they鈥檙e her own 鈥� she鈥檚 like everyone鈥檚 grandma,鈥� she said.

A goal of $20,000 was decided as a starting point while Herring is still in hospital receiving treatment for her injuries. As of Wednesday morning (Sept. 20), it had just under $15,000 raised.

Mende added that a fund has also been set up at Country Feeds in 91原创 as an alternative to the online fundraiser.

鈥淧eople can phone the feed store and [ask] to put a bag of grain on [Herring鈥檚] account,鈥� she said, noting that it applies to tools and other items as well.

鈥淭here are still horses at the farm that need to be cared for,鈥� Mende said.

Mende sends her thanks to the community for its support so far.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really heartwarming that everyone has come together and has helped somebody in the community,鈥� she concluded.

Online donations can be made at , and funds will go directly to Stacey.

The 91原创 Township fire department responded to calls of a barn fire around 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 18, on 3rd Avenue east of 216th Street 鈥� close to the Canada-U.S. border.

Assistant fire chief Dale Steeple said one person was treated for injuries at the scene, Stacey Herring, and one had to be transported to hospital by air ambulance.

Crews arrived to find the barn fully engulfed by fire, and it took several hours to put it out.

鈥淐rews were on scene quite a while waiting for the gas to be shut off in order to fully extinguish the fire,鈥� Steeple said, noting about 35 firefighters and three engines responded, and water was transported to the site by tender trucks.

The fire destroyed the barn, at least four vehicles, and a hauling trailer near the structure.

Steeple said an investigation is still ongoing.

READ MORE: Two injured in 91原创 barn fire

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