Man Starts House Fire Trying To Kill Spider

A man set fire to his rental home after using a can of spray paint and a lighter to try to kill a spider.

The blaze in the Arbor Heights neighbourhood in west Seattle, Washington, on Tuesday evening caused $60,000 (£35,000) worth of damage.

Neighbour Sue Green told the television channel KIRO 7 Seattle: "I saw flames coming out of the side of the house and heard popping sounds."

Fire department spokesman Kyle Moore told The Seattle Times that the spider was on the laundry room wall when the man used his makeshift blow torch to try to kill it.

No injuries were reported in the blaze, the fire department said.

The Red Cross is providing temporary shelter for the two people who live in the house.