Michael Jackson’s ex-wife Debbie Rowe accidentally burns down friend’s cottage

Debbie Rowe accidentally burnt down her friend's home last week and escaped unharmed.

The ex-wife of Michael Jackson and mother to Paris and Michael Joseph Jr. (Prince) was recovering from breast cancer treatment at her pal's Vermont cottage when the home spontaneously combusted during the pair's home remodeling project, TMZ reports.

Rowe and the friend were refinishing the cottage's crown molding with linseed oil when she left a rag doused in the oil unattended as she went into the property's main house for some time to knit.

When she returned, the cottage was engulfed, according to the gossip site.

Linseed oil is highly flammable when it dries up on items like rags and other debris.

Rowe can be seen in the rubble left behind by the blaze in images obtained by TMZ.

The friend was reportedly understanding of the accident and was just happy Rowe was not hurt. The cottage was covered under insurance, according to TMZ. 

Rowe and daughter Paris Jackson recently rekindled their relationship in 2013 and the actress has been a "rock" for her mother during her cancer battle.

Jackson and Rowe were married from 1996 to 1999 - Prince Michael Jr. Michael Jr. was born in 1997 and Paris was born in 1998.