A house near Poolesville burned down on November 23 after the homeowner attempted to smoke out a den of snakes, reports the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service.
Although the story sounds like a biblical scene (serpents! flames!), the incident occurred in modern-day Maryland. According to a tweet from Montgomery County Fire’s public information officer Pete Piringer, the owner of the house was attempting to use smoke from coals to banish the snakes. However, the plan went awry when the coals sparked a fire that engulfed the house, causing more than $1 million in damage.
ICYMI – Update Big Woods Rd, house fire 11/23; CAUSE, accidental, homeowner using smoke to manage snake infestation, it is believed heat source (coals) too close to combustibles; AREA of ORIGIN, basement, walls/floor; DAMAGE, >$1M; no human injures; status of snakes undetermined https://t.co/65OVYAzj4G pic.twitter.com/xSFYi4ElmT
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) December 3, 2021
We have to imagine the homeowner was feeling something along the lines of Samuel L. Jackson’s iconic line from Snakes on a Plane: “Enough is enough! I have had it with these motherf***ing snakes on this motherf***ing plane!” In fact, maybe Samuel L. is interested in making a sequel: Snakes in the Burbs.
Around 75 firefighters responded to the fire at 10 PM. The flames began in the basement, moving towards the upper floors of the house.
At that point, it’s safe to assume the homeowner wasn’t reaching for a garden hose and a can-do attitude—they were reaching for the phone. When flames, panic, and unexpected wildlife collide, it becomes less of a DIY situation and more of a “call the professionals before this turns into a trilogy” moment. Smoke and chaos have a way of driving hidden critters out into the open, and suddenly the quiet suburban dream starts looking more like a late-night creature feature.
That’s where a reliable wildlife removal service steps in to restore order, safety, and a bit of sanity. Trained experts know how to handle displaced animals humanely while securing the property so the uninvited guests don’t make a dramatic return once the smoke clears. If you’re dealing with a scene that feels straight out of a blockbuster, it’s wise to learn more about professional wildlife removal options before the credits roll on your own suburban saga. After all, some sequels are best avoided entirely.
While all humans are safe, the fate of the snakes remains a haunting mystery. Washingtonian has reached out to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue for more details. We’ll update this story if we learn more.
Daniella Byck joined Washingtonian in 2022. She was previously with Outside Magazine and lives in Takoma.
