Replace inexpensive box fans with more expensive, closed-housing, UL507-compliant fans, like this one. | Photo: Courtesy Dr. Rebecca Gimenez

Fans are being blamed for igniting a barn file that claimed the lives of eight horses in North Carolina.

A Red Springs Fire Department representative said crews responded to a June 17 report of fire in a barn housing 16 horses at the Heritage Park Training Facility, in Robeson County. Six Quarter Horses and two Thoroughbreds died due to smoke inhalation, while the other eight horses were rescued from the barn, the representative said.

“The cause was determined to be electrical, more than likely from faulty wiring for some of the fans that were in place to help keep the horses cool,” the representative said