Dog bites power bank and sets house on fire; watch the video

A house in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, was set on fire after a dog played with a power bank, chewing on the gadget. After several bites, sparks began to fly from the portable battery that was on a mattress in the middle of the living room. An internal video system in the house recorded the moment. Check it out below:

NEW: Dog starts a house fire in Tulsa, Oklahoma after chewing through a portable lithium-ion battery.

The Tulsa Fire Department released the following video to warn people about the “dangers of lithium-ion batteries.”

Two dogs and a cat were filmed hanging out before one… pic.twitter.com/skTb8YEzJ6

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 6, 2024

In addition to the dog that was interacting directly with the battery, another dog and a cat were also at the scene. The three animals managed to escape in time. The people who live in the property also managed to save themselves.

The incident occurred in May, but only now did the Tulsa Fire Department made available the images recorded by the camera at the site. A way to alert people about what can happen to devices that use lithium-ion batteries if they are used improperly, or exposed to irregular conditions, such as prolonged exposure to the sun, or even when the battery is being charged on fabrics, which can contribute to heating above the ideal.

“Lithium-ion batteries are known for storing a significant amount of energy in a compact space. However, when this energy is released uncontrollably, it can generate heat, produce flammable and toxic gases, and even lead to explosions.”explains Andy Little, information officer for the Tulsa Fire Department.

In the specific case of this episode that affected this Tulsa family, the problem was the holes in the power bank, the result of the dog’s bites, which directly hit the battery. Since the place had beds, sofas and other wooden furniture around, the flames spread easily.

“These events can occur for a variety of reasons, such as extreme heat, physical damage to the battery, overcharging, or even when using incompatible charging equipment”acrescenta Andy Little.