Resident trying to kill spider causes apartment fire in Redding

The man's actions caused considerable damage to the apartment, but there was no information on whether the spider survived.

People living in the apartment told fire officials they were attempting to burn a spider with a propane torch and unintentionally ignited the corner of a box spring and items in the closet on fire.

No injuries were reported from the blaze.

Lyndsey Wisegarver, a caregiver for a resident of the apartment in Redding, said another resident was trying to kill a massive spider with a torch lighter and succeeded in setting the pest aflame.

The building was damaged and the residents will have to stay elsewhere. Firefighters extinguished the flames in the bedroom in 20 minutes - before it engulfed the entire building.

Apparently, the spider, which was covered in flames, scurried into a nearby mattress.

The residents attempted to put the fire out with a garden hose, but with no luck.

Wisegarver said the flames soon spread to the apartment's drapes and a flag collection. The residents will now have to find another place to live.

Apparently, Wisegarver said they've been thinking about moving for a while.

She told the newspaper they had been keen to move out anyway.

Fire officials say they responded to 2534 Waldon Street in Redding around noon for a fire at a townhouse.

"We'll make it work", she said.