A family in the United States has been left homeless following a devastating house fire likely caused by a squirrel chewing through electrical wiring.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports, citing the Daily Star, that the incident occurred while the residents were asleep. According to the report, the rodent is believed to have caused a short circuit in the attic, leading to a rapid spread of flames that consumed the property.
The homeowners, Donnie Banta and Stacey Davis, were awakened by the smell of smoke while sleeping with their two children. The owner noted that he first heard the sound of an electrical breaker tripping, followed by unusual noises from the attic and the distinct odor of burning wires. The family managed to evacuate the building immediately along with their children and pets before the fire intensified.
Firefighters from Panama City arrived at the scene and successfully extinguished the blaze. However, the structure and almost all personal belongings inside were declared a total loss. Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire was triggered by damaged electrical insulation, with evidence pointing toward a squirrel having gnawed through the cables, creating a fatal short circuit.
Incidents involving rodents causing structural fires are a recognized hazard in residential safety. According to fire safety experts, squirrels and other rodents frequently seek shelter in attics, where their tendency to gnaw on hard materials—including electrical wiring—poses a significant risk of electrical fires. In the United States, thousands of house fires annually are attributed to pest-related electrical failures, highlighting the importance of regular attic inspections and pest control measures to protect residential properties.
