ANN ARBOR (WWJ) - "It goes without saying," the Ann Arbor Fire Department wrote on social media, but they nonetheless had to post a reminder to residents not to use a blowtorch to trim weeds after learning that's how a house caught fire on Wednesday.
Fire officials said they were called out to a fire reported at a home in the 1200 block of Heather Way just before 5:30 p.m. When Ann Arbor fire officials arrived at the scene, they saw flames burning at an exterior wall and discovered smoke in the home.
Crews were able to quickly extinguish the blaze, but the reason why it even started in the first place completely stumped fire investigators.
"We were initially perplexed as to the cause due to the location in the wall assembly," the fire department said on social media.
But an investigation into the blaze quickly showed what happened.
"Video from a neighbor's exterior camera proved useful in identifying the source," the department continued. "Contractors were using a blow-torch along the house to kill weeds. It should go without saying that using a BLOW-TORCH TO KILL WEEDS NEXT TO A STRUCTURE IS AN INCREDIBLY POOR DECISION."
Fire officials called the situation "very fortunate" as the home could've sustained greater damage. No injuries were reported.
The department added that situations such as Wednesday's shows the need for fire fighters.
"[The] AAFD stands ready to serve," officials added.