Dog Chews Lithium Battery, Sparks Fire: Firefighter's Warning

Accidental House Fire

• 🐶 Colton, a 5-year-old rescue dog, accidentally started a house fire by chewing on a lithium-ion battery.
• ⚡ The incident occurred when Colton broke the safety seal and bit into the battery, causing it to ignite.

Fire Containment and Damage

• ⏱️ The fire was quickly contained and extinguished within minutes due to the rug and the owner's immediate presence.
• 🏠 The only item lost in the fire was the rug where the incident took place.

Dangers of Lithium Batteries

• ⚠️ Lithium-ion batteries, while safe to use, can spark fires if damaged, improperly stored, or disposed of incorrectly.
• 🔌 Firefighters emphasize the importance of unplugging devices after charging and storing batteries where they cannot be broken or chewed.
• ♻️ Proper disposal and recycling of lithium batteries are crucial to prevent fires.

Local Fire Incidents

• 🔥 In Raleigh, lithium batteries have been linked to approximately a dozen fires in the past year.
• 🚚 In Durham, two trash trucks caught fire due to batteries being thrown away instead of recycled.

Fire Safety Awareness

• 🚨 The incident serves as a critical reminder for homeowners to handle and store devices with lithium batteries safely.
• 📢 A firefighter used his platform to share this experience and warn the public about the potential dangers.