Maryland homeowners burned down their home while trying to get rid of snakes

A nearly 10,000-square-foot home in Dickerson, Maryland, an hour west of Baltimore, was engulfed in flames Nov. 23 after the owner tried to smoke out a snake infestation on the property, Montgomery County Fire Chief Spokesman Pete Perringer and the rescue service told CNN.

Coals were used as a heat source for smoke, Perringer explained, but were placed too close to combustible materials, eventually setting the house on fire.

According to CNN affiliate WJLA, the fire started in the basement and quickly spread through each floor, engulfing the multi-story building.

Perringer told CNN the owner had been home a few hours earlier, but luckily no one was home when the fire broke out. A passing neighbor saw the smoke and called 911.

Around 10 pm, 75 firefighters reached the spot to douse the fire.

Perringer said there was no fire in the area. “Which isn’t a problem because we’re used to it, but we’ve had to shuttle in tanker trucks.”

It took firefighters a few hours to get the fire under control, but it wasn’t fully extinguished until the next morning.

The damage will cost more than $1 million, Perringer said. The home was recently purchased for $1.8 million, according to public records.

Firefighters ruled the incident an accident as there was no evidence of arson or intent.

Perringer recommends using other methods to combat infection.

“There are animal services that can go out and make recommendations, or pest control or exterminators,” Perringer said. “We recommend that professionals address any pest control issues to help maintain the situation.”

Since no one was home at the time, no one was injured.

The condition of the snakes is unknown, but since the house fell into ruins, they no longer live there.