Ottawa firefighters swiftly responded on Thursday morning to put out a fire that started when a family dog chewed on a heated ski glove, leading to the battery inside catching fire.
Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) were alerted to the fire at a two-storey house on Bevington Walk in Orléans by an alarm monitoring company. The homeowner was also informed and rushed to the scene after confirming the fire through interior security footage. Additionally, passersby called 911 to report the fire.
Firefighters arrived within four minutes to find heavy smoke and flames coming from a ground floor window. They used a hose to combat the blaze, entered through the front door, and searched for any occupants. The family dog was found and safely rescued without any injuries. The fire was brought under control in about 10 minutes.
According to OFS spokesperson Nick DeFazio, fires caused by pets are common, but the way this fire started was exceptionally rare.
Security camera footage revealed that the dog had found a heated ski glove with a lithium-ion battery and began chewing on it while on a couch, leading to the battery being damaged and catching fire, igniting the flames.
After ensuring no lingering fire, firefighters used high-pressure fans to ventilate the home. An adult and a child were displaced due to the incident. OFS emphasized the potential safety risks associated with damaged lithium-ion batteries and reminded people to handle them carefully.
The homeowner agreed to share the video with the fire department to use it as a fire prevention tool. OFS stressed the importance of monitored smoke alarms, as they immediately notify authorities in case of a fire.
It is advised for residents to store items with lithium-ion batteries securely, out of reach of pets and children, and to discontinue using and properly dispose of any battery or device showing signs of damage, overheating, or malfunction.