Man causes $11,000 in damages trying to kill spider inside apartment

(KHSL/CNN) — A California man who tried to kill a wolf spider with a torch lighter set his apartment ablaze in the process.

The Redding Fire Department said the spider was covered in flames when it scurried to a nearby mattress, catching it on fire Sunday.

The fire spread to a flag collection and drapes in the bedroom, the Record Searchlight reports.

Residents attempted to extinguish the flames with a garden hose but were unsuccessful.

Though no one was injured, the fire caused $11,000 in damages and the residents will have to move out.

The fire department posted a friendly reminder on its Facebook page, saying: “Call an exterminator if you have spiders…and don’t try to burn them.”