Colo. Property Manager Dubbed 'Local Hero' After Rescuing 4 Horses from Deadly Barn Fire

More than $20,000 has been raised to support Eddie Soto Sanchez, who did all he could to save 14 horses trapped in the barn when the blaze broke out Monday morning

A Colorado man is being hailed a hero for risking his own life to save as many horses as he could after a fire broke out at the barn where he works.

Eddie Soto Sanchez was asleep at his home on Hidden Pines Farm in Franktown on Monday when he was alerted to the blaze, according to NBC affiliate KUSA and ABC affiliate KMGH-TV.

Fourteen horses were trapped inside the barn when Soto Sanchez, who works as the farm’s property manager, reached the burning building, KUSA reported.

“I ran to the barn, opened the doors, ran in and it’s dark,” he explained, noting that “a hot cloud of smoke just rushed out” of the barn.

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Soto Sanchez burned his hands while working to open the stall doors, according to KUSA.

"I could hear the fire just kind of growing bigger inside the barn," he told KMGH-TV. He also recalled hearing horses “screaming” and “kicking” throughout the ordeal.

The Franktown Fire Protection District confirmed that four horses were rescued by their caretaker “before the smoke became too heavy.”

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Firefighters ultimately pulled Soto Sanchez away from the barn, per KUSA. At one point, Soto Sanchez “managed to pull away” from the firefighter and attempted to rescue Dave, “an older, retired horse.”

However, the horse did not come out. “I called his name, and he just wouldn't answer it,” said Soto Sanchez through tears. “At that point they told me there's nothing you can do.”

Two of the horses rescued from the barn are still at an animal hospital, according to KUSA. The two others are at a horse park.

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Soto Sanchez is still upset over losing 10 horses in the fire. “I keep thinking what I could have done differently to make sure that I saved more horses than I did,” he said tearfully.

Soto Sanchez was briefly hospitalized Monday after sustaining minor burns and smoke inhalation during the ordeal, according to a GoFundMe campaign started to support him.

He and his family are currently staying in a rental, as his home on the property does not have functioning water or propane following the blaze, KUSA reported. His immediate goal is to ensure his family's future is covered.

As of Monday evening, more than $20,000 has been raised via GoFundMe to support Soto Sanchez.

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“Let’s continue to support our local hero so him and his family can feel secure during this holiday season,” the organizer wrote.

An investigation into the fire is ongoing, according to the FFPD.

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