A Maryland family has seen its home virtually destroyed after a dog is believed to have accidentally switched on a toaster, starting a fire that tore through the house.
Emergency crews were dispatched to a property on Foxglove Court in Belcamp, Harford County, at about 5.30pm last Friday after the residence became engulfed in flames, Abingdon Fire Company said. Fire officials said the fire broke out in the 4300 block of the road and was reported after a security company alerted first responders.
Firefighters got the blaze under control in roughly 20 minutes, but by that point the house had already suffered major damage and several family pets had died.
Before first responders reached the scene, neighbours managed to get two dogs, Bo and Addie, out of the home safely.
Authorities said a third dog, Dakota, as well as two cats, did not survive.
No one was inside the property when the fire began, and Fox reported that there were no human injuries.
After examining the scene, fire officials concluded the blaze began in a highly unusual way.
Investigators found that one of the family’s dogs had climbed onto the kitchen counter and unintentionally activated the toaster. That then set nearby combustible materials alight and the fire quickly spread.
Home security footage from Ring reportedly captured the incident, showing the dog moving around on the countertop and brushing against objects with its paws shortly before the flames broke out.
Deputy state fire marshals have officially classified the fire as accidental.
In a surprising turn, the same dog believed to have triggered the toaster was one of the animals rescued by neighbours and was not harmed.
There was also one notable survival amid the loss. The family’s bearded dragon was discovered alive after the fire and, following 24 hours in critical care, pulled through.
The property is said to have sustained extensive destruction, with heavy fire, soot, smoke and water damage throughout the home.
Officials estimate the building itself suffered around $150,000 in damage, while belongings inside accounted for another $50,000 in losses.
While the circumstances may sound extraordinary, fires caused by pets are not especially rare. Fire safety groups say curious animals can accidentally trigger appliances, especially in kitchens where stove knobs, cords and combustible items are within reach.
The American Red Cross says nearly 1,000 home fires each year are accidentally started by pets in the US. The organisation says those incidents often involve animals knocking things onto hot surfaces or turning on appliances that are left unattended.
The Red Cross also says pet-related fires are one reason to keep stove knobs removed or covered when a kitchen is not in use, and to make sure flammable items are kept well away from cooking equipment.
A comparable case happened in Connecticut in June, when a dog jumped up while trying to get something from the stove.
Investigators in that incident said the animal had accidentally turned the appliance on by striking one of the stove knobs, which led to the home being destroyed by fire.