Maryland resident burns down home in attempt to get rid of snakes

A Maryland homeowner accidentally burned down their house after attempting to smoke out snakes infesting the basement.

The Montgomery County resident used coals in the basement to try to ward off the snakes, WTOP of Washington, D.C., reported.

A fire broke out on Nov. 23 at 10 p.m. Officials said 75 firefighters were called to put out a blaze that had caused more than $1 million in damage.

Update (11/23 10p) 21000blk Big Woods Rd, Dickerson/Poolesville, @mcfrs Media Hotline Update 240.777.2442 – no injuries, Cause-undetermined/under investigation, >$1M loss, ~75FFs responded, it was dark & cold (~ 25°) https://t.co/6PwIkbRAkf pic.twitter.com/jWlB1HPdKt

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) November 24, 2021

No one was injured in the fire.

Pete Piringer with the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service told The Washington Post that firefighters found just one snakeskin in the house and one snake that had survived.

But there had been “a lot” of snakes in the house before the fire, he added.