Wildfire investigators looking for the cause of blaze in western Colorado last month discovered the partially burned remains of a dog — leading to the conclusion that a man’s attempted cremation of his pet sparked a fire that damaged private property including a cabin.

Law enforcement arrested the man earlier this month and he is now charged with arson and trespassing, court documents show. Authorities say the cremation ceremony started the fire on Aug. 1 that’s estimated to have caused about $200,000 in damages and burned about 11 square miles (28 square kilometers), the Denver Post reported. The burn is now largely contained.

  • @Hayduke
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    295 hours ago

    The fire got out of control after he threw a spray can into the blaze. … This guy is clearly meant for bigger things.

  • Flying Squid
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    206 hours ago

    Next time, give the dog a Viking funeral. You’re a lot less likely to start a forest fire with a burning boat.

    • MeatPilot
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      3 hours ago

      I gave my pet rat a viking burial before. Made a little paper boat and outfit.

      Problem was when I decided to do it, the ice didn’t melt on the lake and I couldn’t find anywhere I could get to that wasn’t ice. So I sent her skidding out on the ice aflame.

      • @TotesIllegit
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        151 minutes ago

        Sometimes, in northern US states, people burn their houses down because they think they can use flamethrowers to melt the snow and ice off their roofs. Ice is pretty resilient to flames.