Turtle causes blaze in NYC apartment

(CBS/AP) NEW YORK - Fire officials in New York City say a lumbering pet turtle named Giovani sparked a fast-moving fire in a Brooklyn apartment after crawling out of its tank and knocking over the terrarium's heat lamp.

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Officials say one firefighter and three police officers suffered smoke inhalation in Monday's fire in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn, reports the New York Post.

The paper reports that a firefighter found Giovani, the 6-year-old African tortoise about the size of a basketball, and saved him. Another turtle that lived in a water tank was killed.

The New York Post says both reptiles resided in their owner's bedroom. Eighteen-year-old Mohamed Salem and his family were not home at the time.

Fire officials say the heat lamp crashed to the floor, igniting a pile of art supplies, including thinner and paint. Within minutes, the Post reports, the fire spread through the third floor apartment.