In an unexpected turn of events, a Massachusetts resident inadvertently set his own home ablaze while attempting to tackle stubborn ice buildup. This mishap occurred amid a harsh winter spell that has left countless Americans grappling with severe weather conditions.
The incident unfolded in Milton, Massachusetts, when the homeowner resorted to using a blowtorch in hopes of clearing ice from his roof. Unfortunately, this well-intentioned effort quickly spiraled out of control, igniting flames that soon spread to the attic, according to Milton Fire Deputy Chief John Earner. What started as a seemingly manageable flare-up swiftly escalated into a significant fire.
Local witnesses described the rapid progression of the fire with a mix of disbelief and concern. “He got down, and we suddenly noticed flames licking the gutter,” a neighbor recounted to WCVB-TV. “Before we knew it, smoke was everywhere, and it seemed like the entire roof was engulfed.”
The surrounding community had just weathered a major snowstorm, leaving cars buried under thick layers of snow, as captured in a striking image from January 26, 2026, in Boston. (Image credit: Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
Firefighters initially approached the situation with the expectation of a minor incident. However, the blaze’s rapid spread required a swift and more robust response.
Firefighters initially believed the blaze would be minor.
“We pulled the gutter off that side of the building thinking it was going to be a light fire, and the whole attic was fully involved,” Earner said.
A couple dig out their driveway and walkway following a winter storm that dumped more than a foot and a half of snow across the region, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Haverhill, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Crews battled the flames for hours while also dealing with freezing temperatures. Earner said firefighters in Milton, located about nine miles south of Boston, called in assistance from neighboring towns due to the extreme cold.
No one was injured in the fire, but neighbors said the incident serves as a warning as homeowners across the region struggle with snow and ice after days of harsh weather.
Residents dig out their cars in the South Boston neighborhood following a winter storm that dumped more than a foot of snow across the region, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Officials noted that ice buildup from severe winter weather can be dangerous to remove without professional help.
“Just get a professional company to take care of your ice,” Earner said. “Don’t get hurt. Don’t go up on your roofs.”
