A family dog chewing a heated ski glove containing a lithium-ion battery ignited a fast-moving house fire in Ottawa, forcing two residents to flee.
At a Glance
- A dog gnawing on a heated glove damaged its lithium-ion battery and triggered a house fire in Orleans, Ontario.
- Smoke alarms linked to a monitoring company alerted emergency crews, who rescued the dog and contained the blaze within 10 minutes.
- Why it matters: The incident highlights the fire risk of damaged lithium-ion batteries and the value of monitored smoke detectors.
How the fire started
On Thursday, Jan. 8, just after 9 a.m., Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) received calls from both an alarm-monitoring company and passing motorists reporting smoke at a two-story home in Orleans, a suburb east of downtown Ottawa. Security footage released by OFS shows the family dog settled on a couch, vigorously chewing a battery-powered heated ski glove. When the animal punctures the glove, the lithium-ion cell inside is damaged and begins to vent smoke. The startled dog drops the glove onto the couch cushion, backs away, and watches from across the room as the glove smolders and flames erupt on the upholstery.
Rapid response and rescue
Fire crews arrived within minutes, encountering heavy smoke and visible fire on the ground floor. They forced entry, quickly located the dog-uninjured-and carried it to safety. Using hand lines, firefighters knocked down the flames and declared the fire under control roughly 10 minutes after the first 911 call. High-pressure fans then cleared smoke and toxic fumes from the structure. One adult and one child who lived in the home have been displaced while repairs are arranged.
Fire prevention lessons
OFS spokesperson Nick DeFazio told CBC the ignition sequence is “extremely rare,” but the department seized the opportunity to educate the public. “The goal was to use it as a fire prevention tool,” DeFazio said, praising the homeowner for permitting release of the security video. The agency stressed that any lithium-ion battery can ignite if damaged, and urged owners to:
- Store battery-powered gear out of reach of pets and children
- Stop using batteries that show swelling, overheating, or punctures
- Ensure smoke alarms are monitored so dispatchers are notified instantly
Because the home’s smoke detectors were connected to a monitoring service, firefighters were alerted the moment smoke reached the sensors. “The second the smoke touches those alarms, the monitoring company calls us and dispatches us right away,” DeFazio noted, crediting the system with limiting damage.
Key takeaways:
- Dogs chewing lithium-ion devices can cause fires
- Monitored alarms shave critical minutes off response times
- Damaged batteries should be removed from service immediately
The OFS Facebook post summed up the message succinctly: “Store battery-powered items safely, keep them away from pets and children, and stop using any battery that shows signs of damage, swelling, or overheating.”
