Saying fire alarms are not enough, the New York State Humane Association on Tuesday demanded the New York State Gaming Commission require all racetracks to install automatic sprinkler systems in their horse barns to prevent another deadly fire.
After conducting a fire safety review at racetracks, the gaming commission last week ordered tracks in the state to install functioning smoke, fire and heat alarms in all barns, and provide staffing to react to activated alarms. The move came in response to a June 16 barn fire that killed 17 horses at the Saratoga Casino Hotel’s harness track in Saratoga Springs.
But the Kingston-based humane association argued in a statement that the move amounted to a “dangerously inadequate half-measure that leaves hundreds of animals exposed to lethal risk.”
The association urged the commission to order all racetracks to retrofit their barns with automatic sprinkler systems immediately, calling it an absolute, non-negotiable rule.
“Horse barns are powder kegs packed tight with highly combustible hay, straw and wood chippings. Once a spark catches, these structures turn into inescapable firetraps within seconds,” the association said. “Alarms do not extinguish flames; they merely broadcast a catastrophe already in progress. Waiting for an alarm to sound while trapped animals burn alive is a systemic failure.”
The statement noted the Saratoga fire came after a barn fire killed 30 horses at Tioga Downs. A man was charged with arson in that fire.
“Sprinkler systems must be made a priority now, before the next barn goes up in flames,” the humane association said.
Spectrum News 1 has reached out to the gaming commission for a response.
The commission said last week that it was considering additional “long-term regulatory changes.”