A Seattle man managed to set a house he rents on fire attempting to kill a spider, causing $40,000 in damage and $20,000 in house content damage. The owners of the home came out to see the damage, which was extensive.
He lives in the house with his mother and he was attempting to kill a spider in the laundry room with a can of spray paint and a lighter.
When the flames got out of control, he called 9-1-1.
“I saw flames coming out of the side of the house and heard popping sounds,” said neighbor Sue Green.
Fire crews worried there could be ammunition in the house and they told neighbors to go back inside. But later, the threat of explosives was ruled out.
“There were giant clouds of smoke pouring out of the windows,” said Kaitlin Sharp, who lives nearby.
Neighbors hosed down their houses and yards to try to keep the flames from spreading.
