Dog Sparks House Fire By Chewing Phone Charger

Tulsa’s ABC affiliate reports:

The Tulsa Fire Department has shared a video showing a dog getting a hold of and chewing on a lithium-ion battery that appeared to be in some type of charger. The dog chewed on it until the battery exploded, causing a dog bed to catch fire.

Two dogs in the home got away from the fire and stared at it before escaping through the doggy door. Fire department officials also said a cat escaped, and all three were uninjured.

Authorities said the home was significantly damaged and that fire departments across the country are seeing fires related to lithium-ion batteries.

USA Today reports:

Tulsa Fire warns how lithium-ion batteries, the culprit behind fires across the country, can escalate to deadly situations. “Lithium-ion batteries are known for storing a significant amount of energy in a compact space. However, when this energy is released uncontrollably, it can generate heat, produce flammable and toxic gasses, and even lead to explosions,” Tulsa Fire public information officer Andy Little.

As you’ll see in the first clip, the fire grew very fast. In the second clip below, Little further explains the risk of such batteries.