Watch out! Your turtle might be an arsonist

Make sure your smoke detector is fully functional…

Published: 25 Feb 2008

A COUPLE returned home to find their house had been set on fire by their TORTOISE.

Emma Fox had brought 70-year-old Fred inside when the pet came out of hibernation early.

Emma, 30, and partner Paul Butler, 45, left Fred – a female – in a tank under a heat lamp to keep her warm enough to stay alive.

But Fred piled her dry straw under the lamp and it caught alight, spreading flames through the house.

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