TWO serious fires at a Kent livery yard are being treated as arson attacks by detectives.

A horse belonging to a schoolgirl was badly burned at Kennels Farm, off Golf Road at Deal. It lost its tail and most of its mane and suffered eye damage.

Champs, belonging to 14-year-old Charlie Vickery, from Golf Road, is expected to make a good recovery, although vets are not sure if the tail will grow back.

The teenager’s horse was one of 17 evacuated on Sunday night after Champs’ stall caught light at about 10pm. Fire crews managed to get the blaze under control quite quickly, confining most of the damage to one corner.

“It’s been very traumatic although Charlie is coping with it very well,” said her mother Rachel. “She is just concerned that he makes a full recovery."

The animals are now being kept outside until the stables are repaired. The business belongs to farmers Murray and Joanna Donaldson, who did not wish to comment.

The other fire happened two days earlier in a hay-and-tack storage barn, completely destroying the contents and badly damaging the building.