BOISE, Idaho — A pre-dawn barn fire near New Plymouth killed 28 horses Sunday and sent two employees to the hospital for smoke inhalation, according to the New Plymouth Fire Protection District.

Fire crews were dispatched at 6:44 a.m. to a report of a large barn on fire on Little Road.

When firefighters arrived, they found heavy fire throughout the structure and shifted to a defensive attack, the district said.

Roughly 40 firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control. Multiple departments provided mutual aid, including Sand Hollow, Fruitland, Gem County No. 1, Parma, Nyssa and Payette fire agencies.

Once the fire was contained, crews confirmed that 28 horses inside the barn had died.

Two employees of the property were treated at the scene and taken by Payette County Paramedics

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