By [TOM LAWRENCE, NEWS REPORTER](/profile-2541/index.html)
Published: 01:33 GMT, 18 February 2026 | Updated: 01:34 GMT, 18 February 2026
This is the moment a tortoise made a dramatic getaway from her enclosure as it erupted into flames.
Leo the tortoise was sleeping in her shed when a rogue heat lamp fell over and set fire to the hay she was resting on.
Her owner, Hyeri Tom, was away at a [Superbowl](/sport/super_bowl/index.html) party when the fire started, leaving Leo having to make a speedy escape herself.
Far from being shell-shocked, Leo managed to make her escape just in time as the fire began to destroy her home.
Hyeri's neighbours noticed the smoke and came to investigate and found Leo had already rushed to safety.
CCTV footage from the garden captured Leo's movie star moment as she bravely walked away from the burning flames behind her.
Hyeri also shared footage of Leo sleeping when the fire first started, seemingly unbothered by the impending danger.
Leo was taken to the emergency vet and was diagnosed with inflammation in her bronchioles.
Leo was sleeping in her enclosure when her heat lamp fell and set her bedding on fire
CCTV footage from the garden captured the moment as she walked away from the burning flames behind her
Hyeri, who lives in Fullerton, California, said: 'Thankfully, she did not suffer visible burns.
'She's taking the medication for her inflamed bronchioles after she inhaled smoke, and I'm going to be keeping a careful eye.'
Hyeri plans to make several changes to Leo's enclosure to protect her from any potential future accidents.
Hyeri said: 'I'm exploring alternative heating methods or mounting all lamps I have with reinforced hardware and safety chains.
'I also plan to start using more fire-resistant materials inside the enclosure and install additional safety monitoring.'