Man trying to incinerate ants accidentally burns his house down

A man in Old Orchard Beach, Maine attempting to kill ants by incinerating them ended up burning down his parents' house and killing the family's pets, reports Fox News.

On Saturday, 21-year-old Devon Doucette was in the basement of the family home, burning up ants by torching them with lit matches, according to WMTW.

The extermination attempt was being performed a bit too close to combustibles and resulted in a fire that rapidly spread.

According to Bangor Daily News, Doucette was able to make it out of the home with a selection of burning items wrapped in his arms, but suffered burns as a result.

He was treated for those injuries and smoke inhalation at an area hospital.

The parents were not home at the time, but the family's pets were. Two cats and one dog perished in the fire.

The house has since been declared a total loss. Charges against Doucette are not expected.