Waterford _ A man burning incense oil in his Overlook Drive home narrowly escaped injury this morning, when he tried to cool the oil with water and instead created a fireball.

The man told firefighters that the fireball knocked him backward but he was not injured, according to one of the firefighters who was at the scene. He was able to get a fire extinguisher and put out the fire.

Firefighters were called at about 10:45 a.m. to the single family house at 9 Overlook Drive for a possible fire in the living room, according to Waterford Fire Engine Company No. 1 Chief Tim Condon.

He said firefighters found smoke inside but the fire out. The ceiling paint in the living room had bubbled from the heat and there was some charring on the walls. Firefighters inspected the house for about 20 minutes before determining the fire was out.

“They investigated and made sure that the fire hadn't gotten into the wall or the ceiling,” Condon said.

Three of Waterford's five fire departments responded. The family made arrangements to stay elsewhere Sunday night. Condon declined to confirm or deny the circumstances that led to the fire. The fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.