ST JOHN | Strong winds blew sawdust into Jose Avega's eyes as he gazed Wednesday at the charred shell of the barn that once housed his family's two horses, El Diamante and El Indio.

"They were such a part of my life," Avega said, wiping away tears as his daughter hugged him.

The horses died in a Wednesday morning fire. The cause remained under investigation.

Cedar Lake Fire Chief Todd Wilkening said his department received the call just after 9 a.m. and was at the scene in seven minutes. He said it took about 30 minutes and 26,000 gallons of water to put out the flames, which were fanned by strong winds.

Wilkening said he had to cut the chain on the gate to get to the barn in the Avega's rural backyard at 15406 W. 113th Ave.

Along with Cedar Lake, four other departments responded to the fire, each bringing tanker trucks because of the lack of fire hydrants.

Avega said the family was called by neighbors who saw the flames and called 911.

He shook his head as he looked at the burned brick barn, the bodies of his two horses still visible in their stalls.

"I never expected a fire. It's a brick building," Avega said. "I even looked at (another property) that had a wooden barn, but I didn't want the wood."

Avega said the horses had been on TV and in the newspaper because they were often featured in local parades. The horses were scheduled to appear in an upcoming Cinco de Mayo parade in Chicago, he said.

Avega was unsure when he might rebuild the barn or buy new horses.

"I love horses. Without them, there's no reason to live here," he said gesturing toward his land.