Two horses die in suspected arson attack at stable

Police were called to Chloe Mills' stables in the early hours of Monday

Police are investigating two arson attacks on rural stables in which buildings were destroyed and two horses died.

The force were called following reports of the two fires at neighbouring properties on Sugarloaf Lane in Iverley, near Stourbridge, along with colleagues from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Firefighters attended the scene of a large stable fire at a business premise at 11:35 on Thursday 25 September, where the horses died, followed by a barn blaze on a farm at 11:30 on Sunday 28 September.

Chloe Mills, whose barn was set alight, said there had been shock and horror locally, and although the equestrian community was pulling together, people were "terrified" they might be next.

Ms Mills, who keeps two horses and two goats in her field said she was very grateful her animals were unhurt when the stables were destroyed.

"It's devastating, when me and my partner came up we were crying because you don't expect to see it, to hear of these things happening.

"I can't even imagine the heartbreak," she said referring to the fire at her neighbour's stables, where two horses died.

"You put them in there to keep them safe and find that's no longer the case, which makes you worry because you don't know what people are going to come back and do."

Chloe Mills said she wanted to know why anyone would target animals and their owners

The entire road is full of horse owners and livestock buildings, said Ms Mills, and it was going to be a "tricky time" for them all.

She added she had "no clue" why arsonists had targeted them, other than "someone thinking it is fun to do horrible things".

However, the local horse community is rallying around providing supplies to those affected, she said.

"It's really kind... it makes you feel a bit more safe in the world with all these things happening."

Staffordshire Police said the large stable was well alight when they arrived at the scene on Friday and confirmed the two horses had died.

The two large barns were extinguished on Monday, with no reports of injuries, the force added.

Police said investigations are ongoing and they are appealing for anyone with CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage of the area at the time to get in touch.