Two dozen horses died Thursday at a farm in Simsbury, Connecticut, after a serious fire broke out, the farm's owners said. Officials from Folly Farm, a family owned equestrian and events facility, confirmed that 24 horses died due to smoke inhalation after a fire surfaced in its arena barn.

The local fire department responded to the incident after it was reported just before 7 a.m., according to WTNH. It took more than 30 firefighters to put out the blaze on the 175-acre farm, which temporarily closed down Route 185.

"There are no words to express our sorrow this morning," Folly Farm wrote on Facebook. "The fire department is still investigating the possible cause of the fire in our arena barn however 24 of our beloved horses have passed away due to smoke inhalation."

"Our hearts are broken. These horses and our clients are our family. Thank you to everyone for the outpouring of support," Folly Farm added.

While most of the dead horses were part of the farm's Riding School and Polo School, three were privately owned.

The Simsbury Fire Marshal was working to determine what caused the incident. The farm said it intended to fully cooperate with the investigators' needs, which is why Folly Farm's general manager Alison Patricelli requested on Facebook for supporters to "not come to the farm...to allow investigators to complete their work."

"These gentle souls taught hundreds of children and adults how to ride, to play polo, and to love through the years," Patricelli wrote Thursday on Facebook. "They were the heart and soul of Folly Farm and of our lives. The 19 horses housed in other barns were not affected."

A GoFundMe page has been set up in the farm's honor to raise money for its loss Thursday. So far, 14 people have contributed a combined $480 towards the fundraiser's overall $2,500 goal. All donations are expected to go directly to Folly Farm.

"Our beloved Folly Farm, in Simsbury, CT, experienced a tragic barn fire on the morning of 12/28/2017," the fundraiser's description read. "Unfortunately, horses were unable to make it out alive. As members of the horse community, we need to give Folly Farm the support it needs for a happier future."

Folly Farm, however, requested that supporters cease donating to the GoFundme fundraiser since they weren't involved in the creation of it.

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