Mischievous puppy bites battery - causes Gregoire mobile home fire

Regional Emergency Services fire investigators say a young German Shepherd caused a fire that damaged a Gregoire area mobile home on April 1.

Fort McMurray firefighters were called out to the Grenoble Crescent home shortly after 5 p.m. The owner came home from work to find smoke alarms activated and a house filled with black smoke. The dog escaped once the door was opened.

Fire Investigators determined that “Levi," a 1-year-old German Shepherd, chewed on a battery charging hub equipped with two lithium-ion batteries, causing the batteries to ignite, and completely burning his dog bed. (Photo is of what was left of the dog bed.) 

Fortunately, the dog was not seriously injured. There was also no significant fire damage, but the home did experience serious smoke damage.

Fire Marshal Nick Brenner advises caution when storing and charging lithium batteries. He says it was extremely fortunate the fire did not spread, and that Levi was not seriously hurt.

“Store lithium-ion batteries out of the reach of children – and dogs,” he noted.

For more information on fire safety and lithium-ion batteries visit the Regional Emergency Services fire prevention webpage.