Youngsters set light to hay bales at a stables in Brighton and the ensuing fire destroyed the entire winter’s supply.
Sam Hodgkins set up a crowdfunder yesterday (Saturday 15 March) on Go Fund Me headed: “Replace our horses winter hay after a fire.”
It said: “This morning, a fire broke out at Carols Yard, in Woodingdean.
“It happened because some children made a terrible decision and set light to the bales.
“Thankfully, they called 999 and we are grateful that the fire was contained.
“Unfortunately, we have lost an entire delivery of hay that we only just bought.
“We are a group of horses owner who work hard to keep out horses and will struggle to replace the hay that was lost.
“We would be very grateful if the local community and others that enjoy seeing the horses in the field and/or collect manure from us, etc, would be able to spare £5 to £10 to help us replace the hay.”
The target of £500 has been beaten, with £65 pledged at the time of writing.
Sam Hodgkins said: “Thank you all so much for your donations. We are overwhelmed.
“Both horse owners and horses are extremely grateful.”
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were called in the early hours of Saturday 15 March 2025 at 12.57am to reports of hay bales alight at a property in Ovingdean Road, Brighton.
“One fire engine from Roedean was in attendance with support from West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.
“Firefighters used one hose-reel jet, two flexi backpacks and two wildfire beaters to deal with the incident.
“The fire was controlled and the area continuously monitored throughout the day. After a final re-inspection, crews left the scene at 2.27pm.
“There were no reports of any injuries and the fire is believed to have been caused deliberately.”
Brighton and Hove News has become unreadable due to the adverts which obscure the article I want to read. I get why you might want to have adverts, but when I look at the site on my mobile device it is unreadable as there is some google adservice filling the whole page!
Yes,, I agree. The position of adverts and their intrusiveness make me use B&H News less than I used to.
Use Brave Browser, honestly, the built in adblockers stop every single one on this site. Can get it for mobile too.
I am truly delighted the money for replacement feed for the horses has been met. However, surely the culprits, should have been found, by the Police. Given a caution, and fined the cost of the hay. The children, should have given up any pocket money they had. Made to work, cleaning up and any other jobs they could get from neighbours, and paying out what they earnt. Only then they will learn. Or simply make the parents pay, and let them get the money back from their children.
I suspect that this is very carefully worded in the article and the fundraiser because the children who made the poor choice were those of one or more of the horse owners which is why they’ve had to go to gofundme?
…that changes the narrative quite significantly. Where did you hear about that?
Can you substantiate your statement please L.B?
I agree that the article is worded strangely. The children aren’t described in negative terms and their actions are also worded as if a parent was admonishing a child. There needs to be confirmation that this wasn’t the case otherwise asking the public to cover the cost is deceptive at best.
LB
Your comment is simply unhelpful. The children who caused the fire were not connected in any way to the horse owners.
The wording was not suspicious.
In today’s times, getting the culprits and/or their parents to pay is not viable. The police can’t stop people from walking into stores and making off with armfuls of goods. They can’t reprimand or apprehend them.
The original poster is cognisant of this. Therefore the wording is such that it focuses on a solution to replace the hay rather than angry declarations.
Hi, I have horses just over the road from here but is managed by the same person so technically the same yard. Just to let you know, the children involved have absolutely nothing to do with any of us who own the horses.. They aren’t any of our children, our kids would for sure know better and certainly wouldn’t be smoking at that age let alone flicking cigarettes into hay because they know the dangers. These children, as far as I’m aware, have social services involved now due to what’s happened but also due to the fact they were out at such early hours when we’ve been told they’re only 8/10 yrs old .. Scary! We appreciate all the help and support the community has offered, the donations are incredible and will help re-stock all that was lost.. Thankfully it was only the hay that was lost and no lives x
We were told that it was 2 young children (8&10) that were smoking and the hay caught alight when they flicked there cigarette. Police were informed as were social services. On behalf of our yard we are grateful too all who donated and the fire service for there quick response. We wee so lucky we only lost the hay.
I agree with Ann Rose, unless they repay the costs of damages no justice has been served. Youngsters really do need to learn the cost of their actions whould be met by them alone.
Fab that the stables, have raised enough money to recoup their supply. Although a dire situation, the children faced up to their mistake and alerted 999, that is commendable considering some children/teenagers don’t give a hoot about their actions
Disgusting behaviour. The parents should be fined to replace it.
Unless there is a meaningful consequence for these “youngsters” parents then things like this will happen again.
The youngsters could go and help muck out, or just general odd jobs and understand how the yard works