He lit the fireplace, like every Christmas, to create some atmosphere. She did not know that right there her husband had hidden their "treasure", savings bonds for 20 thousand euros.

Every year, says the man who lives in Rome, in the Monteverde area, before 25 December he moved those vouchers, his life savings. He had decided to place them in the fireplace , considering it a safe place, safe from potential thieves, who certainly wouldn't have gone rummaging through the ashes and wood.

His wife was unaware of everything, and calmly started the flames. "I was about to faint when I saw them," said her husband.

Ruined Christmas aside, there's a chance to fix it. Maybe that money can be recovered somehow through the Post Office.

(Unioneonline/ss)