Eight Horses Lost in Fire at Wagon Wheel Ranch

An early morning fire at Wagon Wheel Ranch in northeast Grapevine resulted in the death of eight horses and destruction of the main barn.  The first call came in to the Grapevine Fire Department at 3:33 a.m. and fireman Roger Vinson was at the site by 3:36.  Vinson's daughter, Sierra, owns a national champion jumper boarded at the ranch.  Her horse and more than 30 others housed in the barn survived the fire.  Fireman, police officers and volunteers were able to release most of the horses before the roof of the barn collapsed. 

The ranch is a popular site for horse shows and equestrian training.  By morning word had spread about the fire and volunteers appeared to help move the surviving horses and begin clean-up operations.  Most of the horses remaining are being temporarily moved to the Las Colinas Equestrian Center in Irving.  Offers of help poured in during the day from riders and their families who participate in various events at the ranch.  Initial investigations indicate that the cause of the fire may have originated in a vending machine located near the barns.