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Massachusetts Gaming Commission offers assistance after Janbark Farm barn fire
Summary
At its Nov. 25 agenda-setting meeting the Massachusetts Gaming Commission opened with condolences after a two-alarm barn fire at Janbark Farm in Planeville; staff and industry groups are coordinating stabling and transfers for affected horses, with the Department of Agriculture providing logistical support.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission opened its Nov. 25, 2025 agenda‑setting meeting by offering condolences and promising support after a two‑alarm barn fire at Janbark Farm in Planeville that the commission said resulted in an unconfirmed number of equine fatalities.
Chair Jordan Maynard, reading the commission’s opening remarks, said the body "stands at the ready to help assist the community" as owners, trainers and local first responders deal with the aftermath.
Dr. Lightbound, who provided the commission’s operational update, said 10 standardbreds from Plane Ridge that had been stabled at the affected barn were not harmed and are being moved to other facilities. "There were 10 standardbreds from Plane Ridge stabled there with three different trainers," Dr. Lightbound said, and staff and industry partners are coordinating to find space for the remaining horses. He added that the Harness Horsemen's Association has been "very helpful" and that the Department of Agriculture is assisting with paperwork and the logistics of bringing horses into alternate stabling.
The commission and staff described the challenge of immediately finding stalls for a large number of race horses. "It's pretty hard to find a place to put maybe 20 to 25 horses all at once," Dr. Lightbound said, noting operators and trainers were working to relocate animals while the site is cleared and repairs are planned.
Commissioners praised the Planeville Fire Department and first responders for preventing the fire from spreading to adjacent barns, and asked staff to keep the commission updated on rescue, relocation and any regulatory issues that might arise from the incident.
No formal votes or regulatory actions were taken on the matter at the meeting. The commission said it would continue to coordinate with trainers, owners, the Harness Horsemen's Association and the Department of Agriculture to help secure temporary stabling and handle necessary paperwork.
The commission did not provide an official, final count of equine fatalities; officials described that number as unconfirmed at the time of the meeting and said they would relay updates when available.
