According to fire officials, a dog in Tulsa, Oklahoma, bit into a lithium ion battery and caused a house fire.
Dramatic video of the May fire, which showed the portable cellphone battery sparking and exploding into flames and sending two dogs and a cat scattering, was just released by the Tulsa Fire Department.
According to Andy Little, a fire department representative, the pets managed to escape through a dog door and were unharmed despite the fact that the property incurred severe damage during the fire.
“However, the outcome could’ve been much worse if there had been no means of escape or if the family was asleep at the time,” Little continued.
Lithium-ion battery fires, although little known, are a “critical issue that has been affecting fire departments across the United States.” According to Little, the batteries are “known for storing a significant amount of energy in a compact space” and are frequently used to charge cellphones.
“However, when this energy is released uncontrollably, it can generate heat, produce flammable and toxic gases and even lead to explosions,” he continued.
Read Also: Circle K Clerk Fatally Shot in West Texas: Suspect in Custody
Experts warn that excessive heat exposure, physical harm, overcharging, and utilizing inappropriate charging equipment can cause gadgets to catch fire.
Little advised people to use lithium ion batteries carefully, including keeping them out of children’s and animals’ reach.
Little advised against just throwing the gadgets in the trash since doing so could harm the batteries and perhaps start fires. Instead, Little said the devices should be taken to a recognized recycling facility or hazardous waste collection location.
“Let us work together to prevent lithium-ion battery-related fires and keep our homes and communities safe,” Little stated.
