THE manager of a stables has been left gutted after 12 horses perished in a fire.

Crews from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service were called to Elmwood Equestrian Centre, in Maldon Road, shortly after 11.30pm yesterday after passers-by spotted a fire in a large stable building.

They did everything they could to save some horses from the building, however despite their best efforts, a number of horses died at the scene.

The fire service confirmed that 12 horses died during the fire.

Up to 50 others have been left traumatised by the blaze after being pulled from the burning stables after the roof caved in.

Passers-by helped save some of the animals but tragically some horses did not survive.

David Shaw, business partner of the site's owner, said the fire had left him feeling "gutted".

He said: "All the owners of the horses have been up here today, but they're not allowed on site at the moment. There were a lot of people here last night.

"We let the animals in the adjoining sheds out to keep them safe, and away from the fire and smoke inhalation, but the ones in the shed that burnt had no hope."

Mr Shaw said 70 horses were kept at the site in liveries where people can rent stables.

A statement on the Equestrian Centre's facebook page said: "Thank you so much everybody for your kind messages and offers of help and generous donations. Please bear with us at this very sad time."

Firefighters from Maldon, South Woodham Ferrers, Tillingham Rayleigh Weir and Corringham attended the incident.

The fire is being treated as suspicious and an investigation is underway into what caused it.

Station Manager, Craig McLellan said:"When firefighters arrived they found the fire was already well developed. The whole building was alight and the roof had collapsed.

"Firefighters worked hard to tackle the fire and stop it from spreading to any other building. However, despite the best efforts of passers-by who managed to save a number of horses from the building, some horses have tragically died at the scene."

Firefighters worked throughout the night to extinguish the fire and are still at the scene dampening down and checking for hot spots.

Essex Police also attended.

A spokesman said: "We were called by the fire service shortly before 12.30am today, Monday, December 4 to reports of a fire at Elmwood Equestrian Centre in Burnham. 

"A number of horses have died as a result of the fire. 

"The fire is being treated as suspicious and investigations are taking place to determine the cause."

Witnesses or anyone with information should contact DS Andy Glister at Chelmsford CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service say it is still too early to rule out whether the cause of the fire was deliberate or accidental and the investigation is ongoing.