Cats gnawing on fairy lights 'cause major fire'

Cats chewing on fairy lights probably sparked a huge fire in Texas.

The fire gutted six flats at the Hampton Hills Apartments in Dallas. Others were damaged by smoke and water.

The owners of the flat where the fire started have two cats which have been caught gnawing on lights previously.

Fire department spokesman Steve Lea said: "The fire started under a Christmas tree. One occupant was home and heard the smoke detector go off. He saw flames on the skirt under the tree.

"It was a new, artificial tree with new lights, so it probably wasn't a short."

The owners say their cats have gnawed on the wires previously.

One cat died in the fire and the other is missing, Dallas News reports.