Oklahoma fire officials released footage on July 31 showing a house fire caused by a pet dog chewing through a portable lithium-ion battery cable.
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The risks of lithium-ion batteries
The Tulsa Fire Department (TFD) released the video to warn the public of the dangers of lithium-ion batteries.
“Lithium-ion batteries are known for storing a significant amount of energy in a compact space,” TFD said. “However, when this energy is released uncontrollably, it can generate heat, produce flammable and toxic gases, and even lead to explosions,” they added.
In the video, two dogs and a cat are seen from an indoor monitoring camera in the home’s living room. One dog begins chewing on a lithium-ion battery pack, intended for charging a cellphone, until it explodes and the house catches fire.
The family and pets escaped without harm, the fire department said, adding that it was crucial the public was aware of the dangers of lithium-ion battery usage.
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Credits: Tulsa Fire Department via Storyful