AJ News

Elizabeth Baumeister Abington Journal Reporter

SOUTH ABINGTON TWP. - Residents of South Abington Township and the surrounding areas, as well as a more widespread community of equine enthusiasts are responding in massive numbers to the fire which destroyed the stables and an apartment above them at Over The Hill Farm, 445 Carbondale Road, South Abington Township, the evening of July 24.

click image to enlarge

According to Chinchilla Hose Company Fire Chief Keith Grierson, at least 21 horses perished in the blaze, while at least six made it out of the barn.

click image to enlarge

Thirteen fire companies and more than100 fire fighters responded to the call at 6 p.m. July 24, where a fire destroyed the stables at Over The Hill Farm, 445 Carbondale Road, South Abington Township.

Abington Journal/Elizabeth Baumeister

Select images available for purchase in the
Times Leader Photo Store

Want to help?

* Donations to benefit Jesse Sabatelle and his son, who were displaced by the fire can be sent to: PTA Fire Fund, c/o Waverly Elementary School, Waverly, Pa.,18471.

* Local businesses accepting donations on behalf of Over The Hill Farm to benefit the horses that survived the fire include: Divine Equine on State St. in Clarks Summit, Justus Hardware, Lithia Valley Farms in Factoryville and Tractor Supply in Tunkhannock. Monetary donations and gift certificates for Agway are being collected at these locations. Donations can also be sent directly to the Over The Hill Farm at: PO Box 51, Waverly, Pa. 18471.

* Anyone who would like to donate baskets for the raffle or prizes for the benefit horse show at Aberdeen Stables can contact Beverly Keller at 570.842.3328.

According to Chinchilla Hose Company Fire Chief Keith Grierson, at least 21 horses perished in the blaze, while at least six made it out of the barn, some of which suffered burns and other injuries. Grierson said two fire fighters were transported to local hospitals due to heat exhaustion and have since been released and one other person was evaluated on the scene, but no other injuries were reported. Grierson said that 13 fire companies and well over 100 fire fighters responded to the call at 6 p.m. Sunday and when they arrived on the scene, the structure, which was approximately 50 by 300 feet in its entirety, was in flames.

Some of the horses were thought to be loose around the Waverly area Sunday evening and many members of the community spent the night searching for them. One of these searchers was Arline Marchlinski of Dalton. Marchlinski said that when she received a phone call about the fire, she grabbed some towels and a halter and bridle and joined people who were searching with flashlights on the back roads near the farm.

“There were a lot of people looking for horses, and everyone’s faces were drawn and ashen,” Marchlinski said. “There was such a sense of urgency.”

Marchlinski said that her daughter, Meredith Dibert of Allentown, learned to ride at the farm, which is owned by Don and Liz Race, in the early 1990s. Marchlinski remembered it as a place where “the kids worked hard, played hard, and learned,” she said. “Whether you just took lessons or you were a boarder, you were treated the same.”

The halter and bridle that Marchlinski brought along with her belonged to her family’s horse, Sir Lancer, which died last year. She passed them along to some boys who thought they may have found the missing horses, and is now trying to locate the items, as they carry sentimental value. Anyone who thinks they may be in possession of these items is asked to contact The Abington Journal.

Marchlinski said of the tragedy, “It’s just devastating. I’m sure everyone is in shock. I mean, I don’t have a horse that died in the fire and I’m in shock.”

A friend of the Over The Hill Farm started a page on the social media website Facebook at 10 p.m. the evening of the fire, and in less than 48 hours, the page gained more than 1,800 “likes” and countless posts from people expressing their sorrow over the tragedy and willingness to help in any way they can.

Several local businesses are now accepting donations on behalf of Over The Hill Farm and a fund is also being set up by the Waverly Elementary School PTA to benefit Jesse Sabatelle and his son, who lived in the apartment above the stables and lost everything in the fire. The Aberdeen Stables in Madison Township is also organizing a horse show to benefit the Over The Hill Farm set for Aug. 27, according to Samantha Musante, a trainer at the stables. Musante said the event will include classes of English riders, a small western show, a food stand and a basket raffle.

According to Grierson, an investigation is underway by the State Police Fire Marshal. He said that the fire is not considered suspicious, but the cause remains yet to be determined.