At 6 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 6, the Forsyth County Fire Department was dispatched to investigate smoke in the area of Old Preserve Trail in northwest Forsyth County. As the initially dispatched fire engine was enroute, the incident was upgraded to a confirmed structure fire as additional calls were received by the Forsyth County 911 Center. 

Upon arrival of the first engine company, the crew encountered a fully involved large barn containing multiple horse stalls. The fire was well advanced, and it was determined that the fire had been burning for a prolonged time before being discovered by the first 911 callers. The address of the incident was 9533 Old Preserve Trail (unincorporated Forsyth County with a Ball Ground zip code). 

The entire fire suppression operation was conducted as a defensive incident as the whole structure was engulfed and interior operations were not possible. Lost in the fire were 26 horses that were boarded at the facility. The barn itself is also a total loss. 

Forsyth County Fire investigators were on scene early in the incident and will be continuing their investigation over the coming days as they coordinate with the property owner and associated insurance companies. Currently, the remaining structure is unsafe to enter by investigators. 

No firefighters nor civilians were injured.