Posted on 02/02/2026 6:27:55 AM PST by DFG
This blows!
A Massachusetts man accidentally set his home on fire while using a blowtorch to melt ice stubbornly clinging to his roof after the winter storm that battered the Northeast last week.
The homeowner in Milton, Mass. decided to get creative while attempting to tackle the sheets of ice cemented to his roof.
He whipped out a blowtorch, scaled a ladder and got to work.
But minutes into the endeavor, his roof caught fire and flames spilled into the gutter, Local 12 reported.
The man was able to slide off the ladder and rushed inside to call 911.
When firefighters arrived not long after, the attic was entirely swallowed up by the inferno, according to the report.
Flabbergasted neighbors told the outlet that “the whole roof was consumed” in a matter of minutes.
“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,” Milton Fire Deputy Chief John Earner told the outlet.
The frigid temperatures, which haven’t risen above freezing since Winter Storm Fern made landfall on Jan. 25, only strengthened the flames.
Firefighters battled the dual elements for hours until the fire was 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 us,” Earner told Local 12.
“Just get a professional company to take care of your ice,” the chief advised. “I mean, don’t get hurt. I mean, don’t go up on your roofs.”
No injuries were reported, and the fire was contained to the lone home.
With temperatures showing no signs of rising until later this week, some are resorting to drastic measures to beat the big freeze.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Again ? This happens every Winter ,LOL
hackmeister
Doesn’t pay to be anti-ice,
Yes, and “Fern” doesn’t sound terribly much like winter to me. Frostine maybe.
Well, that’s a lot of damage.
The fire got the roof, but the water seeped into the house and got everything else.
Where was the Florida Man?
Where was the Florida Man?
I often find the ice is only needing a little fracture. I use a 10’ section of 2 inch pvc to whack ice and hard snow, and have used a similar or longer 2x4.
I wear a heavy coat, boots, safety glasses, and a hard hat. I would need something longer if we had a 2 story. A ladder is not even considered in such a situation.
27 years ago he could have been the star of a Budweiser commercial.
LET’S SEE WHAT STATE FARM SAYS ABOUT THIS———
I think he needed insurance money. Did anyone else worry about the ice on the roof? No? Didn’t think so.
[Moron.
Blowtorches are for eliminating spiders, not snow and ice.]
LOL!!!!
Who is this guy? Let’s have a name and a picture so we can all laugh at him.
Near my old neighborhood!
Milton shares a border with Mattapan and Dorchester, parts of Boston.
Well the good news is the home used to have good insulation.
and creme brulé
Most MassHoles aren’t known to be the sharpest tools in the shed.
Just look at their BS state govt.....speaks volumes.
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