A massive fire devoured a horse barn Monday in the Goulds neighbourhood of St. John's, although none of the animals was harmed.

The owners of the stable saw smoke mid-morning and released more than a half dozen horses from the structure.

Crews from several fire stations responded to the fire, which ripped through the wooden building.

Firefighters were hampered in their efforts because of lack of water on that section of the Back Line.

They were able, however, to prevent the fire from spreading to a nearby building.

No injuries have been reported.