A single feline misstep ignited a blaze that scorched a Dallas County kitchen, prompting fire officials to issue a stark reminder about keeping combustibles away from heat sources.
At a Glance
- A cat leapt onto a stovetop and accidentally turned on the appliance, sparking a fire on Jan. 14.
- The blaze spread from the stove to other appliances, the kitchen door, and the ceiling.
- The Garland Fire Department extinguished the fire and confirmed no damage outside the kitchen.
- Residents are urged to keep paper towels, food packaging, and plastic containers away from stovetops and consider stove knob covers.
The Incident
On Wednesday, Jan. 14, the Garland Fire Department responded to a call about a kitchen fire in a Dallas County home. Surveillance footage, later shared by CBS News, showed a cat jumping onto the stovetop and accidentally turning on the burner. Within 10 or 15 seconds, a flame erupted, quickly spreading to nearby items and eventually engulfing the kitchen door and ceiling.
How the Fire Spread
The fire’s rapid expansion was due to a combination of factors:
- Residual heat from the burner, even when the stove was not actively in use.
- A cluttered stovetop with paper towels, dish towels, and other combustibles.
- The close proximity of appliances and the kitchen door, which allowed heat to travel quickly.
“10 or 15 seconds after the cat gets up there, all of a sudden a fire starts,” said Jim Dugger, a spokesperson for the Garland Fire Department, to KRLD News. “The cat jumps down and runs off.”
Fire Department Response
Firefighters arrived promptly, extinguishing the blaze before it could reach the rest of the house. Investigators reviewed the surveillance footage and confirmed that the kitchen was the only area damaged. No injuries were reported.
“The problem is, all the combustibles on the stove caught on fire, ended up catching the kitchen on fire,” Dugger added. The department’s statement emphasized that even when a stove or cooktop is not actively in use, residual heat or accidental activation can quickly ignite nearby combustible items.
Safety Reminders
The incident has prompted the Garland Fire Department to issue a public safety advisory. Key recommendations include:
- Keep paper towels, dish towels, food packaging, and plastic containers away from stovetops.
- Turn off cooking appliances when not in use.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
- Maintain a clutter-free area around all heat sources.
- Consider installing stove knob covers to prevent accidental activation, especially in homes with children or pets.
“A few seconds of prevention can stop a fire from starting,” the department wrote in its statement.
Key Takeaways
- A small, accidental action by a household pet can trigger a dangerous kitchen fire.
- Residual heat and cluttered stovetops are major risk factors.
- Fire officials urge residents to adopt simple precautions to protect their homes.
The story was reported by Jonathan P. Miller and published on January 20, 2026 11:59 AM EST.
