On June 26th, a Colorado Springs family was jolted awake when their dog accidentally started a fire. Their security footage showed the dog standing on its hind legs, checking out the stovetop. In doing so, the dog turned on a burner by pressing a stove knob with its paw.
Home security footage showed the family dog standing on its hind legs to reach the stovetop and in the process, the dog's paw accidentally turned on one of the burners. Additional footage obtained from local station KKTV captured the moment the flame ignited boxes that had been left on the stove.
According to the fire department, firefighters arrived around 4:45 a.m., the family was asleep when the fire started but woke up thanks to a heat alert from their Apple HomePod. One of the family members managed to put out the fire before it spread.
Though they managed to stop the fire from spreading, the house didn't escape unscathed. The fire department said the place was such a wreck, the poor family had to couch-surf for a while. Someone was taken to the ER for inhaling too much smoke, but the rest of the group - Fido included - dodged a bullet.
The Colorado Springs Fire Department advised homeowners to keep stove knobs out of reach of pets to avoid similar accidents. Fire Marshal Brett Lacey told KKTV, "Pets are naturally curious, and this serves as a reminder to ensure they can't accidentally trigger emergencies."
Pet owners might also consider taking extra precautions to prevent similar incidents. Maybe cover up those stove knobs when you're not cooking, and keep anything that can catch fire far away from heat sources.
Sure, no one got seriously hurt and they put out the fire quickly, but it's a wake-up call to always be vigilant at home. Who knew our furry friends could accidentally turn into four-legged arsonists?
The fire department's still investigating what happened, but so far it seems like a freak accident. The family's quick thinking when their alarm went off probably saved them, showing how useful these new-fangled gadgets can be.
For now, the family is working on resolving the situation and finding temporary accommodations. The incident underscores the importance of pet safety and fire prevention measures in homes.