A Maryland home was accidentally burned to the ground by an owner trying to get rid of a snake infestation, officials said.
The homeowner in Poolesville, a town about 40km outside of Washington DC, in the United States, was attempting to use smoke to purge the snakes from the house, according to Montgomery County Fire Department officials.
![The home on fire after the homeowner attempted to use smoke to purge snakes from the house. Photo / AP/Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/SAMG52Z6S2L7BNF23NDEHK6BWU.jpg?auth=3ab8be14dd476adec03ccf2f4ee9bdcab9b8df9889128621d36b9131c5196bc8&width=16&height=21&quality=70&smart=true)
In the process, the homeowner caught the house on fire, causing about US$1 million ($1.48m) in damage, the Washington Post reported.
The fire broke out around 10pm on November 23, officials said.