55 Goats Died in Wisconsin Barn Fire

March 17, 2013
A Janesville barn fire claimed 55 goats and damaged other buildings on the property.

March 17--TOWN OF JANESVILLE -- Fifty-five goats died Saturday in a barn fire on Highway 14 east of Janesville, according to a news release from the Rock County Sheriff's Office.

Emergency workers responded to a report of a barn fire at 9:44 p.m. to a farm at 4802 W. Highway 14 in the town of Janesville. Shortly after firefighters arrived, the barn was fully engulfed, according to the news release.

No people were injured during the incident, but 55 of the 70 goats in the barn died. Other buildings on the property were damaged by the heat of the fire, according to the news release.

Highway 14 was closed in both directions between Burdick and Fitzsimmons roads for more than four hours. Large amounts of sand and salt were used on Highway 14, particularly at County E because of cold conditions and the amount of water used to put out the fire.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but damages are estimated at $170,000.

The fire could be seen from more than a mile away.

Copyright 2013 - The Janesville Gazette, Wis.

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