A house fire in Maryland that killed three pets was sparked after a dog accidentally switched on a toaster inside the home, officials said.
Firefighters were called to a single-family home at 4319 Foxglove Court in Belcamp shortly after 5:30 p.m. Friday, according to the Abingdon Fire Company.
Crews brought the fire under control in roughly 20 minutes.
Officials said a dog accidentally activated a toaster inside a Maryland home, starting a fire that killed three other pets. (Abingdon Fire Company)
The homeowners were away when the fire broke out, and no injuries to people were reported, fire officials said, according to Fox 45.
Neighbors were able to rescue two dogs from the burning home, but a third dog and two cats did not survive, the station reported.
The family’s bearded dragon was later discovered alive and survived after spending 24 hours in critical care.
Investigators said the blaze began in the kitchen before moving into other areas of the house.
Neighbors rescued two dogs from the home, but a third dog and two cats died in the fire. (Abingdon Fire Company)
It was determined that one of the family’s dogs jumped onto the kitchen counter and accidentally turned on the toaster, igniting nearby combustibles. The dog that switched on the toaster was one of the two that were rescued by neighbors.
The fire was recorded on a Ring home security camera, which showed the dog jumping on the counter and pawing at items and assisted deputy state fire marshals in determining the fire’s point of origin, Fox 45 reported.
Deputy state fire marshals officially ruled the cause of the fire as accidental, according to the outlet.
Deputy state fire marshals officially ruled the cause of the fire as accidental. (Abingdon Fire Company)
The house sustained extensive damage from fire, soot, smoke and water.
Officials estimated that about $150,000 worth of structural damage and $50,000 worth of damage to the contents of the home were caused by the blaze.
