In a heartbreaking incident, 14 goats were burnt alive in a fire that broke out in a cattle shed at Manjanambikinaru village near Kayathar on Sunday. The blaze, triggered by spontaneous combustion of maize hay, spread rapidly due to soaring temperatures and strong winds.
The shed, owned by a farmer named Shanmugaraj, housed 35 goats at the time. According to sources, the exit was blocked by stacked hay, and the shed was allegedly locked — leaving the animals with no escape route. The remaining 21 goats, including several kids, suffered severe burns.
Fire and rescue services from Kazhugumalai rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control, but not before the blaze had claimed 14 lives.
Local officials, including Kayathar tahsildar Sundar Ragavan, VAO Renuga, and police, inspected the site and have initiated an inquiry into the tragedy.
The incident has raised concerns about animal safety measures, especially during peak summer conditions.