A recent video shared by the Tulsa Fire Department in Oklahoma has left everyone in shock, but it also serves as a reminder of potential dangers when pets are left home alone.
The shocking incident happened in a Tulsa home when an indoor monitoring camera captured a dog unintentionally starting a fire by chewing on a lithium-ion battery.
In the beginning, the video shows two dogs, one resting on the couch, and the other playing with an unknown object.
However, the situation quickly escalates into a disaster. It turns out that the dog was actually chewing on a lithium-ion battery power bank used for charging cell phones.
Suddenly, the battery exploded, and sparks began to fly around the house. Startled by the explosion, both dogs, along with a house cat, began to panic.
While the cat ran away, the dogs watched the fire spreading around the house and barked for help. As the fire grew, even the dog began to run, searching for an exit.
The Tulsa Fire Department was quickly informed about a house on fire and they responded immediately.
Fortunately, the dogs and cat managed to escape uninjured, thanks to the dog door. Officials from the Tulsa Fire Department shared in an interview:
“While the home was significantly damaged, their two dogs and cat escaped the home uninjured through a dog door.”
Moved by this dramatic event, the Tulsa Fire Department shared the video to raise awareness of the potential dangers of leaving pets home alone and to warn people about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries.
These batteries are known for storing large amounts of energy, and can often cause deadly fires, just like it happened in this Tulsa home. The officials from the department explained:
“When this energy is released uncontrollably, it can generate heat, produce flammable and toxic gasses, and even lead to explosions. These incidents can occur due to various reasons, such as exposure to extreme heat, physical damage to the battery, overcharging, or even using incompatible charging equipment.”
It’s crucial for all pet parents to ensure their homes are pet-safe to reduce the risk of such dangers.
Besides the risk of explosion, these batteries can also be toxic to pets if chewed or swallowed, potentially causing physical harm or becoming lodged in their stomach or intestines.
Thankfully, the pets emerged from this accident safe and uninjured, as did their family, but the outcome could have been far worse.
So, if you’re a pet parent, make sure you’re responsible, especially after seeing how a small battery can lead to a huge disaster.