A STUBBORN homeowner accidentally set his house ablaze while fiercely battling rooftop ice with a blowtorch.
The homeowner in Milton, Massachusetts, decided to try an unconventional tactic after thick sheets of ice became cemented to his roof following days of brutal cold.
Firefighters worked around the clock to bring the blaze under controlCredit: WRAL
By the time fire crews arrived, the entire attic has already gone up in flamesCredit: WCVB
With winter refusing to loosen its grip, frustration appeared to get the better of him.
He grabbed a blowtorch, scaled a ladder and got to work, attempting to melt the frozen mass above his head.
Unfortunately, the situation soon took a terrifying turn.
Just minutes into the endeavour, flames erupted and spilled into the gutter.
Realising the danger, the man quickly manoeuvred off the roof and slid down the ladder to safety.
Shaken but unharmed, he rushed inside without hesitation and dialled 911.
Fire crews were dispatched immediately – but the flames had other ideas.
By the time firefighters arrived, the blaze had already ripped through the attic, fanned by sub-zero temperatures.
Neighbours could only look on in horror as “the whole roof was consumed” in a matter of minutes.
Milton Fire Deputy Chief John Earner said: “We pulled the gutter off that side of the building thinking it was going to be a light fire, and the whole attic was fully involved.”
Brave firefighters worked for hours before finally bringing the blaze under control.
“When it’s cold like this, we need a lot of help. So, we did have a lot of outside towns come and help up.” Earner said.
He also issued a clear warning to homeowners dealing with icy conditions.
“Just get a professional company to take care of your ice,” Earner added.
I mean, don’t get hurt. I mean, don’t go up on your roofs.”
Despite the dramatic scenes, no injuries were reported, and the fire was successfully contained to the single home.
The freezing conditions, which have lingered since Winter Storm Fern, only made the situation more dangerous.
The powerful storm left a deadly trail across the US, claiming the lives of 18 people in seven states.
Among the victims was a 16-year-old girl who was killed in a sledding accident in Frisco, Texas.
The extreme weather also wreaked havoc nationwide.
Blackouts plunged more than 830,000 Americans into darkness and over 19,000 flights were cancelled, leaving travellers stranded and communities struggling to cope.
Firefighters carefully worked to ensure the fire didn’t spreadCredit: WRAL
When the flames subsided, the full extent of the damage was revealedCredit: WCVB
