A fire destroyed a barn filled with hay and goats, Saturday, Nov. 10, killing 125 animals trapped inside and burning down the side wing of the nearby house, according to the New Boston Fire Department.

Upon responding to a call shortly after 9:30 p.m., the New Boston Fire Department found the three-story, 2,525-square-foot barn at 231 Bunker Hill Road completely engulfed in flames that lit up the night sky.

The upper two levels of the barn were filled with hay and the lower level housed the 100- plus goats being bred by owner Steve Caggiano. Many of the goats were pregnant and due in the next few weeks.

With the hay, metal roof and dry wood of the old barn, “it was like an oven and just built on itself,” said Fire Chief Daniel MacDonald. “They were probably dead by the time they even saw the fire.”

Up to 75 firefighters from 10 surrounding communities, including Francestown, Bedford, Goffstown, Dunbarton and even Manchester, and six additional brush crews and trucks responded to calls for assistance. Assistant Fire Chief George St. John oversaw the brush crews while Francestown Fire Chief Donald Abbott directed the efforts against the main barn fire.

Strong winds spread embers that started spot fires in the brush and across the street in a large field.

The shed attached to the main part of the house, used as an office, burned down, but firefighters were able to save the main part of the house with damage only to the attic. Caggiano lives down the road and used the house as a business location.

The fire was declared under control by 11:34 p.m., though crews continued to combat brush fires and flare ups into early Sunday morning.

The cause of the fire is unknown but not suspicious, according to the Fire Department, and may remain that way since the destruction was so complete.

MacDonald said residents had smelled smoke earlier and one person had driven by at approximately 9 p.m., but saw nothing out of the ordinary.

The Fire Department went back the next day to make sure there were no lingering sparks or embers, said MacDonald, and Caggiano buried the carcasses Sunday.

The goats were like pets to him, said MacDonald.