Two tractors parked at a jaggery manufacturing unit near Jedarpalayam in Paramathi Velur taluk in Namakkal were gutted in a fire late on Friday night (May 29, 2026).

According to the police, Duraisamy, 60, an advocate and farmer in Jedarpalayam, owns a jaggery manufacturing unit on the V. Pudupalayam Road. Two tractors, an excavator and a tipper lorry used for transporting sugarcane to the unit were parked in a shed on the premises on Friday night.

Around midnight, workers sleeping nearby noticed flames engulfing the two tractors and alerted Mr. Duraisamy. They also attempted to douse the fire before informing the Jedarpalayam police and personnel from the Velayuthampalayam Fire and Rescue Services Department.

Firefighters rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control. However, the two tractors were completely destroyed in the fire. The excavator and the tipper lorry parked nearby were not damaged.

The Jedarpalayam police registered a case and commenced an inquiry. The police said investigations were under way to ascertain whether the fire was the result of arson or due to any other cause. The incident has caused concern among residents of the area, where a series of incidents, including acts of arson and damage to agricultural crops, had been reported in the aftermath of a murder case reported near Jedarpalayam two years ago.