Drebach - In a freak chain of events, a burning wasp triggered a fire in the attic of a house in an eastern German town, police reported on Wednesday.

Police in the town of Drebach said a roofing worker was attacked by a swarm of wasps. To protect himself, he used his blowtorch against the insects, setting one of the wasps on on fire.

The insect then flew back to its nest, which was located in the rafters, setting it on fire.

The blaze then spread to the attic, police said.

The damage was estimated at €2 000 (almost R16 000). - Sapa-dpa