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Spontaneous combustion of manure or an electric fence were being investigated as possible causes of a fire in Palmdale Sunday that killed multiple animals, according to L.A. County Fire Department Capt. Bo Ament.
Four horses and seven goats died in a remote desert area barn at 5526 East Avenue T-10 (map).
Among the dead was a pregnant horse and 4 month old colt. All the horses were a friesian breed.
The barn’s design kept the animals from escaping, Ament added.
Exploding manure occurs when oxygen mixes with feces that has been sitting, which causes bacteria to multiply and create heat, according to Modern Farmer, a website about raising livestock and growing food.
KTLA’s Dave Mecham contributed to this report.
