HORICON -- Firefighters have named the cause of the fire at the Ridin-Hy Ranch on Friday.
According to the Horicon Fire Department, the fire was caused by a guest who put out a lit cigar in a paper cup on a balcony. The main house is a total loss.
Twelve fire departments responded to the fire just after 3 p.m. Friday. All guests and staff were able to escape.
Fire officials say one of the owners of the ranch went into the burning building and rescued a guest who was on oxygen. Both were able to get out.
================
HORICON, NY — The Horicon Fire Department said the fire that raged through the Ridin’ Hy Ranch on Sherman Lake Road in Horicon Friday afternoon was caused by a guest who put out a lit cigar in a paper cup on a balcony, according to WNYT.
On Friday night, Horicon Fire Chief Scott Hayes said that about 200 people were inside the restaurant when the blaze was called in at 3:15 p.m., but everyone made it out safely and no one was injured.
The fire re-kindled early Saturday, causing fire crews to return to the scene.
The main lodge was destroyed.
Hayes was not available on Saturday for comment.
Late Saturday afternoon, the Beadnell Family and Ridin’ Hy Staff posted a comment on their Facebook page, writing that the ranch will temporarily be closed while they rebuild the structure.
“As most of you may already know, we lost the main lodge to a fire on Friday, October 27th. Thankfully, everyone made it out safely. Unfortunately, we will have to close temporarily while we begin to regroup and rebuild,” the post said. “We will be contacting anyone with November reservations soon. We appreciate the love and support we have been receiving from all our ranch family. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”
================
"I've never stood and watched a while building burn before," said Margaret Carnevale.
Margaret and her husband Robert had just arrived at Ridin-Hy Ranch, and were ready to celebrate.
"We were here on our first anniversary and so we decided to come back again for our 11th anniversary," she explained.
But their plans for the evening quickly changed.
"We were over at the horse barn and a couple of the workers go 'do you see that?' and we saw that there was just a ton of smoke pouring out of there," Carnevale said.
The main lodge erupted in flames and was soon devoured. The building houses a dining area, indoor pool, and guest rooms.
"When I made my reservation I asked for the lodge, but they were full," said Robert Carnevale.
Horicon Acting Fire Chief Scott Hayes said, "when we got the call, they said that there was 200 occupants."
Hayes said everyone made it out safely, but the building is a total loss.
Still, thanks to manpower from several departments, he said they were able to contain the fire to one building. Even ranch employees joined the effort.
"There was staff pulling hose lines and helping with everything they could," Hayes said.
Now the Carnevales say they hope Ridin-Hy Ranch can rebuild so they can return for another anniversary.
"Get the lodge built back up again and back open because obviously it's a fantastic place and I hope they can recover from this."
Hayes says the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
================
HORICON, NY — A food and bar restaurant at a four-seasons dude ranch was destroyed by fire Friday afternoon.
The Ridin’ Hy Ranch located on the shore of Sherman Lake on North Sherman Lake Road was fully involved when firefighters arrived on scene.
Horicon Fire Chief Scott Hayes said the fire in the restaurant was reported around 3:15 p.m.
Hayes said approximately 200 people were inside at the time of the fire, and when firefighters arrived, everyone had made it outside safely.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.