Dog Chewing On Heated Ski Glove Sparks House Fire In Canada

Fire officials in Canada are warning about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries after a house fire was caused by a dog chewing through a heated skiing glove.

Ottawa Fire Services said a monitoring company reported an active fire alarm at a two-story house on the 200 block of Bevington Walk at around 9:07 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 8. The monitoring company reported they had notified the homeowner, who was not home at the time but confirmed through indoor security cameras that there was fire inside. Other 911 callers reported seeing flames coming from the home

Firefighters arrived on the scene four minutes after being dispatched and found heavy smoke and flames coming from a bay window on the first floor. Crews launched a “fast attack” and the fire was under control at 9:23, just 10 minutes later. A search confirmed no occupants were inside at the time, and high-pressure fans were deployed to clear smoke from the home. 

An Ottawa fire investigator responded to determine the cause of the fire, which was quickly confirmed by security video provided by the homeowner. The video, shared by the fire service, shows the family dog lying on the couch chewing a glove shortly before it begins smoking and bursts into flames. The glove was a heated skiing glove powered by a lithium-ion battery.

“Lithium-ion batteries can pose a serious fire risk if they are damaged, punctured, crushed, or improperly handled,” fire officials said. “Residents are reminded to store items containing lithium-ion batteries safely, keep them out of reach of pets and children, and immediately stop using and properly dispose of any battery or device that shows signs of damage, swelling, overheating, or malfunction.”