Nature & Environment
Snake Burns House: Texas Fire Department says Gasoline-Doused Serpent to Blame, Most Snakes Harmless if Left Alone (VIDEO)
Kathleen Lees
First Posted: Mar 23, 2013 04:07 PM EDT
A snake burning a house down? Unlikely, of course, but Texas authorities at the local Fire Department believe that a woman's frenzied reaction to the serpent sparked the flame.
The local Fire Department believes the fire was sparked when the homeowner spotted the snake in her yard, and doused it in gasoline before lighting it on fire.
"The snake went into the brush pile and the brush pile caught the home on fire," said Deputy Randall Baggett, of the Bowie County Sheriff's Office.
Despite firefighters efforts, the flames completely engulfed the home, as well as damaging the side of a neighboring house, according to CBS News.
Fire Chief David Wesslehoft says that although it's not unusual for a burning animal to spread a fire, a fire started by a burning snake is a first for him.
No charges have yet been filed.
According to National Geographic, most snakes are harmless if left alone. Some would even say they're among the most fascinating animals to keep as pets and most can become docile and even friendly with the proper handling (though some may not ever grow that accustomed to the slimy touch, and we completely understand.)
And then, there are snakes that can kill you. You know the ones we're talking about, too-the ones with the big fangs that are constantly hissing like the Black Mamba or the Cobra. But then again, some are more tricky, looking innocent and harmless, such as the Water Moccasin.
Regardless, if you see a snake that's not a pet, it's probably best just not to touch it.
And, if anyone learned anything from this lesson, it's this-don't try to kill a snake by setting it on fire.
Want to learn more about the fire? Check out this video, courtesy of CBS News.
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First Posted: Mar 23, 2013 04:07 PM EDT
A snake burning a house down? Unlikely, of course, but Texas authorities at the local Fire Department believe that a woman's frenzied reaction to the serpent sparked the flame.
The local Fire Department believes the fire was sparked when the homeowner spotted the snake in her yard, and doused it in gasoline before lighting it on fire.
"The snake went into the brush pile and the brush pile caught the home on fire," said Deputy Randall Baggett, of the Bowie County Sheriff's Office.
Despite firefighters efforts, the flames completely engulfed the home, as well as damaging the side of a neighboring house, according to CBS News.
Fire Chief David Wesslehoft says that although it's not unusual for a burning animal to spread a fire, a fire started by a burning snake is a first for him.
No charges have yet been filed.
According to National Geographic, most snakes are harmless if left alone. Some would even say they're among the most fascinating animals to keep as pets and most can become docile and even friendly with the proper handling (though some may not ever grow that accustomed to the slimy touch, and we completely understand.)
And then, there are snakes that can kill you. You know the ones we're talking about, too-the ones with the big fangs that are constantly hissing like the Black Mamba or the Cobra. But then again, some are more tricky, looking innocent and harmless, such as the Water Moccasin.
Regardless, if you see a snake that's not a pet, it's probably best just not to touch it.
And, if anyone learned anything from this lesson, it's this-don't try to kill a snake by setting it on fire.
Want to learn more about the fire? Check out this video, courtesy of CBS News.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone