Galapagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra) is seen at an enclosure at the zoo in Zurich December 17, 2014.

Galapagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra) is seen at an enclosure at the zoo in Zurich December 17, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann

Two pet tortoises, named Dinky and Toby, reportedly set their owner's house ablaze after they accidentally tripped over a heating lamp in the house. The duo was later saved by firefighters who wore a breathing mask to protect themselves from the smoke produced by the burning house.

According to The Inquisitr, the fire affected the house to such an extent that it will take millions of pounds for the owners to get the damage fixed. The incident happened in the house in Fordingbridge, Hants, England.

“The whole house was full of smoke and there was a reasonable fire going in the room. It is a first for the crew – we have never had to deal with tortoises before,” said Pete White, one of the firefighters.

The anonymous owner of the pets reportedly revealed to the firefighters that they have Toby since 1950s and Dinky since the past 25 years. Currently, the owners are struggling to convince their insurance providers that the fire was actually set by their pet tortoises. The cost of correcting and repairing the smoke-blackened rooms again is estimated to be very high.

White claimed to have visited the place of the incident again to see if the tortoises were doing okay. The courageous firefighter has urged the local residents to have working smoke alarms in place and has stressed on the importance of getting the functionality check done regularly. In addition, White has warned the public not to keep fire-related equipment and appliances near their pets, even tortoises.

It is still not revealed whether the owners of the house were at home at the time of the incident. However, the firefighters have warned people not to leave the heating lamp burning when leaving the house.

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