ROCKVILLE, Md. - Authorities say a Montgomery County home caught fire after workers used a propane torch to clear ice from the roof.
County fire department spokesman Capt. Oscar Garcia says the blaze began Tuesday afternoon and firefighters found smoke and flames in the second floor and attic.
Garcia says one of the six workers was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation. A housekeeper escaped from the home uninjured.
Crews had to dig out two nearby fire hydrants buried in the snow. Part of the roof also collapsed.
Garcia says officials are looking into whether the workers were licensed to do the work. He says damage is estimated at $1.5 million.
Authorities say they don't recommend using an open flame to clean off ice or snow from a roof.
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call for the same thing, clearing ice with a blowtorch, just came across in the City of Pittsburgh, PA, about a half hour ago. Funny how so many people are so dumb lol
Anyone else have an issue with the headline here? What is torch clearing ice? How often does one need to use ice to clear a torch?
Perhaps a better headline may be "Using a torch to clear ice, sets home ablaze". I don't know, maybe the headline has something to do with the Olympics.