Dog bites lithium battery in US, sets house on fire

In a terrifying incident caught on video, a playful dog in Tulsa, Oklahoma, mistook a lithium-ion battery-powered phone charger for a chew toy, causing a fire. The alarming consequences underscored the potential dangers of lithium-ion batteries, which are often used in portable electronics.

The Tulsa Fire Department released footage of the incident to draw attention to the fact that portable phone chargers powered by lithium-ion batteries can catch fire.

Andy Little, Public Information Officer for the Tulsa Fire Department, called it a critical issue affecting fire departments across the country. Little warned that these batteries, while essential for charging our phones on the go, could be putting our homes at risk.

The victims of this particular fire, which was sparked by a lithium battery, chose to remain anonymous but shared their footage to warn others. They hoped to prevent similar incidents, especially since their pets narrowly escaped what could have been a deadly disaster, reports Newbie6.

Innocent dog with a new chew toy: a lithium battery charger

The footage shows the dog innocently carrying a lithium battery charger around the living room before starting to bite it.

Little explained that lithium-ion batteries store a significant amount of energy in a compact space. When released uncontrolled, they “can generate heat, produce flammable and toxic gases, and even lead to explosions.”

The police officer added that many people keep these batteries in their homes but may not be aware of the real dangers. A lithium-ion battery can catch fire or explode if exposed to extreme heat, damaged, used with incompatible charging equipment or overcharged. In this case, a dog chewing on it damaged the battery, which started a fire that quickly spread to the couch.

Fortunately, the family’s pets, including two dogs and a cat, escaped unharmed. Additionally, the quick response of the Tulsa Fire Department prevented the fire from completely destroying the home.

The damage caused was extensive; footage shows firefighters ripping out the entire front window of the house.

Because these batteries can catch fire when exposed to heat, overcharging or physical damage, the fire department wants to bring this “critical issue” to the public’s attention to help prevent future fires.

Pay attention to where lithium batteries are stored

The incident underscores a broader trend: Data from 2020 shows that the number of fires caused by lithium battery accidents has increased by 34% over the past five years.

Because lithium batteries power not only cell phones but also devices like flashlights, cameras and electric bikes, finding safer, environmentally friendly alternatives remains a priority for some researchers.

However, lithium ions mobilize quickly, which produces the desired effect: charging our devices as quickly as possible.

However, until a replacement is widely adopted, proper disposal and storage of lithium-ion batteries remains crucial to preventing dangerous incidents.

In the meantime, Little called on people, according to Newson6, to be mindful of where they store their devices. “We don’t want people charging their devices right at the exit,” Little said.

“Put them somewhere else so that in case of a fire they can get out of the house.”