What a Big E spokesperson characterized as a “minor fire” happened at 11 p.m. inside of the C Barn, which is a large barn that includes horse stables between the Coliseum and state buildings on the Eastern States Exposition grounds. The spokesperson did not provide more details about the specific location or possible cause of the fire.

A barn fire at The Big E fairgrounds on Friday night led to horses being evacuated and an investigation by the Fire Marshal’s office.

Firefighters safely evacuated 161 horses from a minor barn fire on the grounds of The Big E late Friday night.

22News spoke with Big E President and CEO Gene Cassidy about the fire and said that there were 161 horses inside the barn that had to be evacuated. Some of the horses got loose, but they have been accounted for. No serious injuries have been reported, however there were a few minor injuries to some of the horses that got loose.

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Dozens are horses are safe after having to be evacuated after a fire erupted inside the barn at the Big E. Around 11:45 on Friday evening after the Big E closed, the West Springfield Fire Department received a call for a reported fire.

When firefighters arrived, they confirmed a working fire that necessitated the immediate evacuation of the animals housed inside.