ROYAL CITY — An early-morning fire May 2 near Royal City killed 10 horses and destroyed the barn in which they were housed.

The fire was reported at about 4 a.m., and the barn was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters from Grant County Fire District Nos. 10 and 11 arrived. The building, about 4,000 square feet, was completely destroyed. The property, at 12978 Dodson Road SW, is owned by David Gonzalez.

Grant County Fire Marshal Bruce Gribble said the extensive damage caused by the fire made it impossible to determine what caused it. But the building did not have its own electrical system, so extension cords with power strips were strung from the house, Gribble said, and evidence at the scene suggested that may have contributed to starting the fire.

Loss was estimated at about $80,000 for the building. Estimated loss of the horses has yet to be established, Gribble said. The barn was insured, but it wasn’t clear if the horses were insured. The fire also destroyed the family’s saddles and horse tack.

Public information officer Kyle Foreman of the Grant County Sheriff’s Office said some horses were saved. “The family did everything they could to rescue those horses,” Foreman said. Family members had to be restrained from trying to reenter the barn. “It was hard for them,” he said.

The “Dancing Horses” and their riders frequently appeared at the Royal City Summerfest, riding in the parade and doing demonstrations of their skills.

Family members took to social media to thank the Royal City community for its support. “To know how many of you enjoyed my dad’s dancing horses has pushed us to start from zero,” wrote Monica Guerrero. “We hope to train more horses.”

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at [email protected].