Suffolk Downs backstretch fire contained

EAST BOSTON, MASS. - Firefighters from four nearby departments continued to battle a three-alarm blaze that broke out in the track kitchen on the backside of Suffolk Downs on Tuesday evening, but no humans or horses were injured.

As of 8:45 p.m., the fire was still burning but had been contained to the kitchen. The blaze, broke out shortly after 6 p.m. and about 30 horses in an adjacent barn were evacuated immediately to other barns.

When contacted by Daily Racing Form, a spokesperson for the City of Revere Fire Department said that firefighters would be on site all night and there would be no statement at this time The stable area is located on the Revere side of the racetrack grounds.

“We want to thank the Revere Fire Department for the amazing work it did to contain the fire in the track kitchen building and to keep everyone safe," said Chip Tuttle, Suffolk Downs chief operating officer. "We also want to commend the quick thinking of the horsemen and women who moved the horses from the barns nearest the kitchen building to safety. We anticipate we will open on Saturday as scheduled and will confer with Revere Public Safety officials."

The fire and blinding, heavy smoke were fueled by strong winds that Boston meteorologists pegged at 17 to 20 mph and were coming in off the Atlantic Ocean from the Northeast, making the job of firefighters more difficult.

On Tuesday, there were 400 horses on the backside. Suffolk Downs is set to open for the season Saturday for live racing and the simulcast of the Kentucky Derby.