Authorities believe a woman's response to finding a snake on her property led to a fire that ultimately destroyed her East Texas home.
KSLA-TV reported Thursday that a fire engulfed a home in the Liberty Eylau area of Bowie County just before 7 p.m. CDT Wednesday, after the woman found a snake in her yard and lit it on fire.
"While cleaning up, she saw snake, threw gasoline on the snake, lit the snake on fire," said Deputy Randall Baggett with the Bowie County Sheriff's Office.
"The snake went into the brush pile and the brush pile caught the home on fire," Baggett added.
Despite the efforts of several fire departments that responded to the scene, the flames completely destroyed home. A neighboring home was also damaged on one side.
Liberty Eylau Fire Chief David Wesslehoft says they are still investigating the fire, but that it's not unusual for a burning animal to spread a fire.
"Yes, it could happen with rabbits and big field mice. Once they start burning the grass, they get out of their hole, they have been known to catch fire and then take off," Wesslehoft said.
Still, the chief says, a fire started by a burning snake is a first for him. It is unclear if any charges will be filed.
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