Fire Claims Two Horses, Many Questions Remain in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — A fire that ripped through an unregistered horse stable in Southwest Philadelphia on Thursday has left two horses dead and sparked an investigation into the operation’s legality. The blaze broke out around 7:37 a.m. at the Scorpion Horse Ranch located on Lindbergh Avenue, according to fire officials.

Fire crews swiftly worked to control the situation, with flames under control by approximately 8:02 a.m. However, the aftermath revealed two horses perished in the fire, while 12 others, including goats and pigs, were rescued by the Pennsylvania SPCA’s Animal Law Enforcement team.

“It is still too early in our investigation to determine if charges will be filed for animal cruelty or neglect,” said Gillian Kocher of the PSPCA. “We will need to examine all 12 horses that were brought into our facility, especially those in critical condition.”

The stable was reported to have been operating illegally on city-owned redevelopment property. Witnesses claimed that local construction workers played a pivotal role in the rescue of several of the trapped horses.

Gordon Parks, who claims to run the stable, stated he founded it to provide children in the community with positive experiences. He insisted that he submitted paperwork requesting the city to donate the land to him but is currently out of town in Georgia.

“I’m trying to figure out how something catches on fire when there’s no electricity down there,” Parks told Action News. He posited that the fire may have been set intentionally. “We were doing a program to help kids find a different way of life,” he added.

In their response, ACCT Philly representatives noted that the stable, made largely of plywood and hay, presented an inherent fire hazard. “It’s like a fire’s dream. It’ll go up so easily,” said Sarah Barnett, executive director of ACCT Philly.

The PSPCA is actively seeking information regarding the ownership of the surviving horses and urges anyone with knowledge about the animals to contact them at their Animal Cruelty hotline. Additionally, the organization is accepting donations to support the care of the rescued animals.

As investigation continues both into the fire’s cause and the stable’s operation, it has raised significant concerns about the welfare of animals within city limits. Julie Klim, CEO of the Pennsylvania SPCA, expressed the community’s distress over the incident. “Today, our community was shaken by news of a devastating stable fire in Philadelphia,” Klim said.