CSU’s Equine Reproduction Lab Burns to the Ground

07.28.2011

by Cindy Reich

The Equine Reproduction Laboratory at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, burned to the ground early on Tuesday morning, July 26. Firemen were alerted at approximately 1:00 am when flames were spotted coming through the roof of the building. Horses in a nearby barn were evacuated, and there were no injuries to either horses or humans.
CSU’s spokesperson, Dell Rae Mollenburg, said that the laboratory building is a total loss. The damages are estimated to be approximately $12 million.

According to the Fort Collins Coloradoan, the cause of the fire has not been determined. Colin Clay, department head of Biomedical Sciences was reported as stating that it unclear of any equine genetic material (frozen semen, embryos) was damaged in the fire, as they had not been able to enter the building and that genetic material was stored at multiple places within the facility.

The staff will be relocated to other facilities and the day-to-day operation of the facility will continue. Colorado State University’s Equine Reproduction Laboratory is a world leader in equine reproduction teaching, research and services.