Tioga Downs barn fire arsonist arrested

Nichols, NY – The heartbreaking news that an occupied barn has burned resulting in a loss of harness racing horses is coming out of Tioga Downs this morning.

UPDATED: Authorities have taken a suspect into custody in connection with a suspected arson fire that killed several racehorses at Tioga Downs in Nichols.

According to New York State Police, the fire investigation determined the blaze “was set as an act of arson.”

ARRESTED: Boyd H. Fenton, age 32 of Athens, P.A. after a fire at a barn structure at the Tioga Downs Casino complex.  Over two-dozen racehorses died in the fire.

Several fire departments from Tioga and Bradford counties were sent to the scene.

The five trainers who were stabled in Barn F are Kevin Reynolds, Jr., Lee Morris, Edgar Clarke, Allison Kolesar and Daniel Harvey. All their horses and racing equipment were burned in the fire. It was also reported that trainer Edgar Clarke suffered facial and arm burns.

The fire was brought under control after about an hour. There was no indication how long the blaze may have been burning before it was reported.

A Tioga Downs official in an online post indicated track employees were working with New York State Police to investigate the fire.

A GoFundMe page was set up to raise money to assist those who were affected by the Tioga Downs fire.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink