IT was just little things at first...a TV would smoulder, a mobile phone would catch fire.
But then it got worse - a whole lot worse.
Over three weeks fridges, washing machines, cookers and furniture all began bursting into flames for no reason. Twelve houses were badly damaged by blazes in the quiet village.
Now, with panic-stricken locals blaming evil spirits and calling for an exorcism, the mayor has ordered a full-scale evacuation.
Last night Italian TV showed people fleeing in tears while fireman rushed to fight yet another spontaneous blaze.
Engineers called to Canneto di Caronia, near Messina, Sicily, were baffled because the fires continued even when the power was cut off.
Mayor Pedro Spinnato said: "This all began three weeks ago and we can discover no explanation. We cannot risk a tragedy through these fires so I have no other option to evacuate.
"We have had engineers in to examine cables and wires but they can find nothing wrong. Twelve houses have been severely damaged after various domestic appliances burst into flames.
"But it is not just electrical items. Furniture is also catching fire for no reason.
"For the time being we have asked families to leave and stay with friends and relatives so a through examination can take place.
"People are blaming evil spirits and I am being asked to get the priest to perform an exorcism."
Civil protection chief Tullio Martella said: "What is going on here is like a scene from some paranormal film.
"The fires continued even when we cut power to the village to see if that was a possible cause."
"For the time being there is no scientific explanation and I have never heard of anything like this before."
Last night more than 100 engineers were in the village and geologists were also due to carry out underground surveys.
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Italian villagers call for exorcist to end 'demon' fires JEREMY CHARLES IN ROME
AN ITALIAN village was evacuated yesterday as investigators attempted to explain an outbreak of spontaneous household appliance combustions, which have left locals fearing for their safety.
Fridges, cookers, televisions, washing machines, mobile telephones and furniture have burst into flame for no apparent reason at a dozen houses in the Sicilian village of Canneto di Caronia near Messina.
Authorities initially suspected the fires were caused by overhead cables on a nearby railway line, but the outbreaks continued even after the village's electricity supply was cut off, leading some locals to blame supernatural forces.
Pedro Spinnato, the village mayor, has ordered the evacuation so further investigations can be carried out.
"This has been going on for three weeks now and there is no explanation for it. We cannot risk a tragedy through these fires, so I have no other option but to evacuate the village," said Mr Spinnato.
"We have had electrical engineers in to examine cables and wires but they can find no explanation. It is not just electrical items, furniture is also catching fire for no reason.
"Already people are blaming the events on evil spirits and I am being asked to get the local priest to perform an exorcism."
The civil protection chief, Tullio Martella, said: "For the time being there is no scientific explanation for it and I have never heard of anything like this happening before in Italy. The fires continued even when we cut power to the village to see if that was a possible cause."
Last night more than 100 engineers were in the village and geologists were also due to carry out underground surveys.
Nino Pezzino, 42, one of 39 villagers evacuated yesterday, said: "Twelve of our houses are uninhabitable. Fortunately, for the time being, the only damage has been to houses and no-one has been hurt, but you can sense the growing fear.
"How can anyone live in a house where any minute something can catch fire for no apparent reason?"
Father Gabriel Amorth, the Vatican's chief expert on exorcisms, said: "With cases of demon behaviour it is normal for domestic appliances to be involved and for demons make their presence known via electricity." Comment: We want to see your data Father Gabriel!
If he, a spokesmen for the Catholic church, can talk about "demons", then surely we can discuss our own theories. We don't have enough data yet for a sound working hypothesis, but surely we can come up with something better than demons.
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