Fire officials in Allen, Texas, are investigating the cause of a barn fire that claimed the lives of more than 20 horses earlier this month.

Allen Fire Department Fire Marshal and Asst. Chief Craig Gillis said the fire in the 7,200- square-foot, barn where 24 horses were stabled, broke out on Aug. 10. Of those, 22 horses died (including a foal that was born due to stress during the fire). Three other horses escaped, he said.

Gillis said the barn was completely engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived, preventing them from rescuing the animals.

"It was very hot, fully involved, and there was no way to get to the horses," he said. "Also, there was a house in a subdivision next door that was trying to burn. They had done all they could do to keep the fire from spreading