As someone who’s utterly terrified of spiders, I can relate to going to great lengths to avoid them. Whether it’s screaming incessantly until someone rescues me or hurling a shoe across the room, disregarding the safety of nearby breakables, I’m all in. However, I’ve never gone so far as to accidentally set my house on fire in the process.
Yet, this exact scenario unfolded for a man in Fresno, California. His spider-removal strategy escalated to an extreme that required the intervention of the Fresno Fire Department. Over the past weekend, the department was called to a structure fire in West Fresno, sparked by a homeowner who “accidentally started the fire using a torch to exterminate a spider,” according to the department’s Facebook post.
The details remain vague about whether the homeowner tried other methods before resorting to the blowtorch, or if the torch was his initial go-to solution. Regardless of his strategy, it clearly did not end well. 
The torch not only contacted the spider but also set the structure ablaze, leading to a fire that quickly spread.
Fortunately, the fire department reported that no injuries occurred thanks to the swift response of the firefighters who managed to extinguish the fire before it caused extensive damage. However, images from the scene revealed beams across the roof that were significantly blackened and charred, indicating that some repair work would indeed be necessary.
The irony of the situation? It remains unknown whether the spider was successfully eradicated or not. 
In the aftermath of the incident, Fresno Fire Department took to social media to caution against using blowtorches or any flammable devices for pest control. Their post emphasized, “We get it, we don’t like spiders either, but it’s never a good idea to use a blow torch or any other flammable device for pest control. We encourage everyone to use safer methods or contact a professional.”
The story sparked a variety of reactions from Facebook users. Some empathized with the drastic measures, with one joking, “Depending on the size, desperate times call for desperate measures.” Another commenter recounted a similar incident, suggesting, “We had one years ago where a guy was using a torch to get rid of spider webs and got his attic going. I use and recommend a shop vac for spider and web eradication!”
This event is a stark reminder that no matter how frightful spiders might be, they certainly aren’t worth the risk of losing your home. It’s always best to seek safer, more effective solutions or to call in the experts.