A newly released video has captured the unexpected moment when a dog in North Carolina started a small house fire by gnawing on a lithium-ion battery. This canine belongs to an assistant fire chief, adding a layer of irony to the incident.
The Chapel Hill Fire Department shared the footage last Monday, revealing that Assistant Fire Chief David Sasser’s dog, Colton, was the culprit behind the fire.
Officials explained that the battery was fully charged, unplugged, and not under any recall, yet it wasn’t stored properly.
The fire department commented on Facebook, saying, “Colton is usually a good boy, but he managed to surf the counters while his owners were out and got a hold of a device containing a lithium-ion battery.”
The post included a caption noting Colton’s role in starting the small fire in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Chapel Hill Fire Department/Facebook)
The department further detailed, “Colton chewed on the battery, compromising its protective features, which ultimately led to the fire.”
Fortunately, Colton escaped with only minor smoke exposure, and the house remained largely intact, with only a rug sustaining damage.
Colton sits outside next to fire department staff after sparking flames inside a Chapel Hill home. (Chapel Hill Fire Department/Facebook)
Colton “now safely hangs out in a crate when his humans are away,” the department said.
The fire department used the incident to stress the importance of properly charging, storing and handling lithium-ion batteries.
Colton receives pets after sparking a small house fire in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Chapel Hill Fire Department/Facebook)
“They store a lot of energy in a small place, from power tools and headphones to laptops and smart watches. If overcharged or damaged, these batteries can overheat, start a fire, or explode,” the department said in a separate post on Facebook.
“We want to encourage the public to ensure they have working smoke alarms, be mindful of all Lithium battery-operated devices, and have an escape plan in the event of a fire,” the department told Fox News Digital on Monday.
