Emotions are high in the small village of Edwardsburg after a massive fire claimed the lives of over 20 animals at Smithfield Stables.

Local horse trainer, Pam Schmalfeldt, saw the whole thing from her window and as a fellow horse-lover it hit home.

“When you're in this business, all of your hopes and dreams are wrapped up in horses!” says Schmalfeldt.

Schmalfeldt says the community of Edwardsburg is close-knit.

“The horse community, too. Everybody kind of gets to know everybody else and when tragedy happens people really come together and do what they can for each other,” says Schmalfeldt.

She described the scene of the fire on Tuesday night, “It was just burning!” says Schmalfeldt. “Immediately it was a heart-wrenching reaction. I mean all of those horses they had in there.”

Schmalfeldt says she and her neighbors will do whatever they can to help the Smith family and everyone else who was affected by this fire.

She says no one will forget what an icon Smithfield Stables once was.

“It was a beautiful, beautiful place,” says Schmalfeldt.

The Smith family is asking for all donations to go to the Burdette family. The Burdette's were living in the apartment inside the stables.

Right now, they're in need of a home to rent with 3 bedrooms that will also take their 3 dogs.

If you think you can help, contact the Smith family by calling 269-663-8207.

Donations can be sent to:

25091 May Street
Edwardsburg, MI 49112