ONLY ON ABC7NEWS.COM: Video shows goats fleeing fast-moving fire in Milpitas

MILPITAS, Calif. (KGO) -- A herd of goats frantically tried to flee a 1-alarm vegetation fire that ripped through a hillside near an East Milpitas neighborhood on Thursday afternoon. The dramatic moments were captured by Sky7, and it's video you'll see only on ABC7 News.

Just around noon, fire, emergency, and animal control crews responded after a report of a transformer explosion. The fire ignited following the blast and threatened one home and several vehicles.
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But many anxious neighbors were concerned for about 20 goats that live and graze on the land. They do their part to reduce the fire risk.

"It's upsetting to me because there are homes right there," said Milpitas resident Sera Schroedter. "And there are animals and I have a little one too."
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Amazingly, all of the goats managed to survive. Animal control officers transported three with minor injuries. Three others are being evaluated.

VIDEO: Goats flee fast-moving grass fire in Milpitas

As for the hillside where they lived, a good portion is burned.

"We are mopping up some of the vegetation on the slope," said Milpitas Department Chief Richard Frawley. "We are currently estimating the size of the fire to be about six acres."



The chief says the grass fire is a close call -- a reminder we're at the beginning of what's expected to be a busy wildfire season.