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A New Zealand toddler caused his family's house to burn down -- by playing with a cigarette lighter as if it were a toy car.

The property in Rangitata -- 75 miles (120km) west of Christchurch -- was destroyed but the family escaped after the boy alerted his mother to the flames, news website stuff.co.nz reported Friday.

An investigation found the fire was started after the boy ran the wheel of the lighter along the carpet like a toy car, igniting it as a result.

Timaru fire safety officer Kevin Collins cautioned other parents over the dangers of lighters and said to keep them away from children.