Crystal Lake family recovering after barn fire killed dozens of horses

CRYSTAL LAKE – A Crystal Lake family is starting to move forward after a devastating barn fire that killed as many as 32 horses.

It's been a little more than a week since the Nov. 22 stable fire at Valley View Acres, 5116 Mt. Thabor Road.

On Wednesday, homeowner Tyson Bauman said the destroyed barn, now surrounded by an 8-foot chain-link fence, still smolders from time to time. His family, he added, is "hanging in there."

With no definitive cause yet and more than 30 horses lost, the situation has been difficult, to say the least, he added.

"The insurance company has a cause-and-effect investigator out to try to see if they can figure [a cause] out," Tyson said. "It's just one of those things, you know, where you just want to know what happened."

Crystal Lake Deputy Fire Chief Chris Olsen on Wednesday said there were, unfortunately, no updates to share, aside from a previously stated belief that the fire originated in the hayloft on the second floor.

"Right now, we're waiting to coordinate with the insurance companies to get back out there," Olsen said. "I have a feeling it's going to be a lengthy process. … It'll probably be listed as undetermined unless we can figure something more definitive out."

In the meantime, Tyson said his family is recovering as the catastrophic event sinks in.

His wife, Amber, for whom Tyson said the barn was a "love and passion," has been offered numerous opportunities to instruct from area barns. Tyson added their 11-year-old daughter Alexis "has her moments," especially considering she lost her horse, Ella Enchanted, in the fire.

A majority of the horses killed in the fire have since been identified in the stable ruins based on remains found in particular stalls. Tyson explained it's in a horse's nature to stay where they feel safe in dangerous situations.

"My son, Adam, went in and opened the [stall] doors," he said. "But you can't just open a door and expect the horses to run out. They'll stay where they feel safe, which was in their stall."

There are still five horses that have yet to be found, including Flounder, who belonged to Tyson's 9-year-old son, Austin.

Rebuilding the barn is the general plan, but there are no specifics at this point, Tyson said.

"Our goal is to rebuild, hopefully sooner rather than later," he said, adding it'll be difficult to devise a plan while the fire investigation is still ongoing.

But one thing is certain: the community is standing behind the Bauman's during this difficult time.

"The outpouring from the horse community has been unbelievable," Tyson said, adding it's extended far past McHenry County. "We've gotten sympathy cards from people all over the United States."

In Woodstock, Hooved Animal Humane Society Executive Director Tracy McGonigle said monetary donations have come in, as well as 50 to 75 donated horse care items.

"We've got a large stack of them," she said.

The society also has teamed up with Woodstock's Offsides Sports Bar and Grill, 680 S. Route 47, and Hebron's Hoops Sports Bar and Grill, 10521 Route 47, both of which will give a percentage of their sales to help Valley View from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 13.