Ottawa firefighters swiftly responded to a fire incident on Thursday morning caused by a family dog chewing on a heated ski glove, leading to the battery inside catching fire.
The fire, located in a two-storey residence on Bevington Walk in Orléans, was initially reported to Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) by an alarm monitoring company, with the homeowner also confirming the fire through interior security footage. Passersby also alerted authorities to the blaze.
Upon arrival within four minutes, firefighters encountered heavy smoke and flames emanating from a ground floor window. They promptly utilized a hose to combat the fire and conducted a search for any occupants inside the home. Fortunately, they were able to locate and rescue the family dog unharmed.
The fire was successfully brought under control in approximately 10 minutes. OFS spokesperson Nick DeFazio noted that while fires caused by pets are not uncommon, the ignition source in this particular incident was exceptionally rare.
Security camera footage revealed that the dog had found the ski glove containing a lithium-ion battery on a couch, triggering the fire when it chewed on it. Following the incident, the firefighters ventilated the home with high-pressure fans. Regrettably, an adult and a child have been displaced due to the fire.
OFS emphasized the dangers of mishandling lithium-ion batteries, stressing the importance of storing them securely, away from pets and children. They also advised immediate disposal of any damaged or malfunctioning batteries to prevent potential safety hazards.
The homeowner cooperated with OFS by sharing the video footage for fire prevention awareness. DeFazio commended the homeowner’s assistance in utilizing the video to educate the public. The incident underscored the effectiveness of monitored smoke alarms in alerting authorities promptly in case of emergencies.
