There was a bit of unfortunate irony early yesterday morning at a Detroit fire station, as a firefighter accidentally burned down the building.

Investigators say the man was reading and placed a towel over a floor lamp, then went to bed before removing it.

The crew was called to a fire at an abandoned apartment complex, and while they were out the towel caught fire.

Flames were shooting from the windows by the time they returned.

To add to the irony, they were not able to put out the fire at their station because they didn't have an engine to pump water from the hydrant.

The city decommissioned the station's engine a few years ago to save money. The investigation is continuing into the blaze.