20/05/2008 - News In Brief
Squirrels blamed for fire at property
The roof of a house in Northampton has been left severely damaged after squirrels caused a fire by nibbling through electric cables, according to the fire service.
Crews from Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue service were called to a property in Kingsthorpe at about 8.20pm on Monday to reports of a roof on fire.
When they arrived they discovered a quantity of electric cables had been severely damaged, and there was also light smoke damage.
A spokeswoman said the fire had been caused by squirrels biting through the cables, and that it was "not unusual for rodents to do this."
It is understood that no persons were injured as a result of the fire, as the property was empty at the time.