An astonishing video showed the moment a playful dog unintentionally started a fire in a house in Oklahoma. Who’s at fault? an ion lithium battery.
The Tulsa Fire Department posted footage from a pet camera showing the white dog observing its brown companion and a black cat obligingly as it curiously chews on the rechargeable powerbank. The three of them scatter in fear as the battery suddenly releases a shower of purple sparks.
The dog bed that the damaged battery was resting on fueled the fierce fire that broke out in a matter of seconds. At first, the dogs barked at the enlarging fire, but they eventually withdrew. Through a pet door, the animals thankfully made a safe escape, closely followed by their human family.
The house sustained significant damage from the ensuing fire before firefighters were able to put it out. The video was recently made public by the Tulsa Fire Department to raise awareness about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries, even though the incident happened in May.
“Lithium-ion batteries are known for storing a significant amount of energy in a compact space,” explained Andy Little of the TFD. “However, when this energy is released uncontrollably, it can generate heat, produce flammable and toxic gases, and even lead to explosions.”
The fire department advises locals to store batteries out of the reach of children and pets and to properly dispose of damaged batteries at recycling centers in order to stop similar incidents. It should be noted that although these batteries are frequently found in homes, many people are unaware of the risks involved.
“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 … Many individuals keep these batteries within their homes for convenience, unaware of the potential dangers they pose.”
