Fairview Farms is rising from the ashes after a fire in March destroyed the saddlebred horse facility in New Bloomfield.
Bob and Tonya Brison are putting up a new horse barn and arena on the site where two stables and an indoor arena were leveled. Seven horses and three dogs perished in the fire. The Brisons' home on the property was undamaged, as was another horse barn.
"We've added some safety features to this new facility," Bob said. "We've got sprinklers and water sources that can be more easily accessed. The insulation that's being used is also less flammable."
Firefighters were called in from multiple jurisdictions to fight the fire due to no water service in the area in March. That meant firefighters went to neighboring communities, such as Holts Summit and Lake Mykee, to refill tankers and bring them back to the scene to battle the fire.
Officials with the fire marshal's office and insurance investigators told the Brisons the exact cause of the fire would never be determined due to the extent of the damage. However, they were able to determine the fire started in an attic space in one of the barns and due to that location, they believe it's possible an electrical malfunction might have started the fire.
"They said fire can build up in an attic space and once it is exposed to the air it will take off," Bob said. "That day was extremely windy, and once the fire got going, it took off like gangbusters."
The new facility is 100 feet wide and 240 feet long. There will be 35 stalls in the barn and portable stalls can be put in the arena when needed.
Brison said work on the facility started around the end of July and they hope to be completed be in November. He also would like to have a public celebration when they open to thank the outpouring of help they've been given since the fire.
Bob said they had help from all over the county, even horse owners in Canada have been in contact with them. Some of the horses the couple have are being housed at a facility on Route BB in Callaway County while others are at a facility in Ashland.
Fairview was known for offering adults and children in the New Bloomfield area horse riding lessons and camps. The Brisons started the farm in their 20s.
"You don't know how many friends you have until something like this happens," Bob added. "It's at times like these that you find out how many friends you do have. As bad as our fire was it could have been a lot worse."