Six houses reduce to ashes, 20 goats killed after fire broke out in Khandwa tribal village

Indore: A major fire broke out at a tribal village in Khandwa district on Wednesday afternoon, reducing six houses to ashes and killing around 20 goats. Household belongings were destroyed in the blaze, while the charred remains of the animals were found scattered at the site.SP Manoj Rai said the incident occurred at Jamli Khurd Khapri village under Shekhpura gram panchayat in Pandhana tehsil. The houses belonged to members of a family living in Dhanter Mama's Faliya. The family members had gone out for wheat harvesting work when the incident took place. The fire reportedly started around 1 pm and spread rapidly through the cluster of houses.After receiving information, fire brigade reached the spot and managed to control the flames. Local villagers also stepped in to prevent the fire from spreading further. They used tractors to cultivate nearby fields, creating a barrier so that the flames did not reach the standing wheat crop.Police said the exact cause of the fire is yet to be confirmed, though a short circuit is suspected. They said a damage assessment is underway and a panchnama was prepared.According to preliminary estimates, six houses were completely destroyed in the incident. Around 20 goats were burnt alive in the fire. The affected families also claimed that cash and valuables kept inside the houses were lost. They said about Rs 5 lakh in cash was kept in the houses, including Rs 2 lakh that one of the family members kept aside to pay a tractor instalment.Members of the tribal families also reported losing silver jewellery weighing around 5 kg that was kept in the houses. Rawat said the damage report will be submitted to the tehsildar after completion of the formal assessment.