Thick flames erupted from a water body located near Barjaanukunte village in Gauribidanur taluk on Wednesday morning.
Onlookers witnessed dense smoke emitting foul smell billowing from the water body for nearly half an hour and immediately alerted the Fire and Emergency Services personnel, who doused the flames.
Residents complained that a couple of sheep died after they consumed water from the water body a few days ago. Most of the acquatic animals had been destroyed in the fire.
According to Gangadhar, a local resident, “During night hours, chemical waste had been dumped into the water body from a few chemical factories which had caused fire. Action should be initiated against the culprits involved in the act. This would pose dangers to the people residing in the surrounding areas.”
Shivanna from the Revenue department said that a probe will be conducted and action will be initiated against the culptrits.