Cat Wears Out Its Welcome by Setting Fire to Host’s Home

A cat named Screamer was back with his owner Thursday after being blamed for a fire at a house where he had been staying.

Gilbert L. Cabana said the cat pulled a window curtain down on the electric stove Wednesday morning and then went for a stroll on the push-button stove controls, turning two burners on high.

“I was in there sleeping,” Cabana said, pointing to his bedroom. “The cat came in and woke me up. He was screaming at me. I heard a snap, crackle and pop.”

Firefighters estimated damage to Cabana’s house at more than $30,000, but he said he was not holding a grudge against Screamer, who belongs to his son’s girlfriend.

“I can’t blame the cat,” Cabana said. “I never dreamed he’d touch the buttons.”