A house fire in Tulsa, Oklahoma was sparked by a dog chewing on a lithium-ion battery, as shown in a video released by the Tulsa Fire Department. The footage revealed the dog nibbling on a battery that was being used as a chew toy on a cushion in the living room, leading to sparks flying from the battery. As the flames erupted, another dog lounging on the couch and a cat on the floor were witnessed observing the fire hazard.
The fire caused significant damage to the home in May, although the two dogs and the cat were able to escape unharmed through a pet door. Fire department spokesperson Andy Little emphasized the dangers of lithium-ion batteries, highlighting that despite their ability to store a considerable amount of energy efficiently, they can pose risks when damaged, overcharged, or exposed to extreme heat. These batteries have the potential to generate heat, release flammable and toxic gases, and even cause explosions when their stored energy is released uncontrollably.
In this incident, all the pets managed to flee the flames unscathed, despite the severity of the fire that was triggered by the dog’s interaction with the lithium-ion battery.
