A massive fire at Smithfield Stables on Elkhart Road in Edwardsburg has reportedly killed 17 horses, a pony, a donkey and a show dog.

Fifteen fire departments from southwest Michigan and northern Indiana responded to the fire call around 4:30 Tuesday afternoon.

Fire crews remained on the scene late into the evening of the smoldering fire that completely destroyed the large barn.

Large equipment is being brought in to help investigators go through the building’s remains as officials try to determine the cause of the blaze.

According to reports, a caretaker who lives above the stable in an apartment smelled smoke and went to investigate.

The caretaker tried to get some of the horses out of the stable, but the smoke was too thick. Her husband and two children escaped the barn unharmed.

Many of the horse owners rushed to the scene as soon as they heard about the fire, but could only stand there helplessly as the blaze engulfed the entire building.

Water tankers were lined up at a nearby fire hydrant to fill up and return to the scene so that firefighters could continue to battle the blaze.

So much water was used that the pumping station lost pressure. As a result, the Village of Edwardsburg is under a boil order until further notice. Residents will need to boil drinking and cooking water for at least three minutes according to an emergency statement issued by the Ontwa Township-Edwardsburg Police Department.

The village will take water samples to make sure there are no contaminants before the order is lifted.

Because of the boil order, Edwardsburg Public Schools cancelled classes Wednesday and Thursday.

The boil water ban was lifted early Thursday morning.