Firefighters were called to the scene in Mitcham, south London, after the “naughty” shelled reptile started the blaze.
The lamp fell onto hay in the tortoise’s aquarium, starting a small fire in the maisonette on the fourth floor of a residential block of flats.
After rushing to attend to the fire, crews were made aware of two pets in the property and rescued the fire-starting tortoise as well as a dog, who was found hiding under the stairs.
A flat fire in #Mitcham last week is believed to have been started by a tortoise.
Learn more about how he started the blaze: https://t.co/xsQ7lyDY0C pic.twitter.com/Pn3dBnAPxu
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) July 14, 2025
Both animals were thankfully unharmed and returned safely to their grateful owner.
A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade (LFB) explained that crews from four nearby fire stations were called to deal with the blaze.
“A mischievous tortoise and his canine friend were rescued last week (10/07) from a fire on London Road in Mitcham,” the spokesperson said.
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“The fire was caused by the naughty tortoise knocking over his heat lamp, which fell onto the hay – a combustible material – in his aquarium.
“The Brigade was called at 11:40 and the fire was under control by 12:22.
“Crews from Mitcham, Wimbledon, Tooting and Wallington Fire Stations attended the scene.”
They added: “It is really important that heat lamps are secured properly to prevent them from being accidentally knocked over.
“They are usually positioned near hay or sawdust, which are both highly flammable materials. When they are not in use make sure they are switched off to avoid over-heating.” ”
