A routine day turned into a fiery disaster when a dog in Tulsa, Oklahoma, bit off more than it could chew – literally. The Tulsa Fire Department reported that the pet gnawed through a portable cell phone battery, unleashing a cascade of sparks that set the home ablaze. The fire, which occurred in May, was captured on dramatic footage [1] showing the battery bursting into flames, sending the household’s two dogs and a cat scrambling for safety.
A close call for pets and family.
Fortunately, no one, including the pets, was harmed in the incident. The animals made a quick exit through a dog door, escaping the smoke and flames just in time. However, the house didn’t fare as well, suffering significant damage.
Andy Little, the spokesperson for the Tulsa Fire Department, emphasized how much worse the situation could have been if there hadn’t been a means of escape or if the fire had ignited while the family was asleep.
Charged up and ready to explode.
Little highlighted a growing concern among fire departments nationwide – lithium-ion battery fires. These batteries, commonly used to power cellphones and other devices, are packed with energy but can become ticking time bombs if damaged.
“When this energy is released uncontrollably, it can generate heat, produce flammable and toxic gases, and even lead to explosions,” Little warned.
Experts say extreme heat, physical damage, overcharging, and incompatible chargers are just a few factors that can lead these batteries to overheat and catch fire. The risk is amplified when curious pets or children come into contact with these devices.
Disconnect and dispose safely.
To prevent such incidents, Little urged the public to take precautions with lithium-ion batteries by keeping them out of reach of pets and children, and never dispose of them in the regular trash. Instead, he says to take them to designated recycling centers or hazardous waste collection points.