Video: Dog Bites Li-ion Battery; Home Catches Fire

In a recent incident in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a home surveillance video captured a frightening scene that underscores the dangers of lithium-ion batteries. The footage, obtained by local television station News On 6, shows a dog chewing on a power bank containing a lithium-ion battery. Suddenly, a flash occurs, igniting a fire within minutes and putting two dogs and a cat in immediate danger.

"The thing that's important about this situation is how fast you see this fire progress,” explained Andy Little of the Tulsa Fire Department to News on 6. “It begins at the top, those heated gases rise, and then, they slowly lower, and you can actually see the whole apartment darken down and then things start combusting in the house.” Watch for yourself:

The good news is that the pets are fine: They were able to escape through a dog door. "Had there not been a dog door, they very well could have passed away,” Little noted.

The homeowner shared the video to warn other pet owners about the potential dangers of lithium-ion batteries.

The incident, which occurred on May 1st, is a reminder of the increasing prevalence of battery-related fires. "What we know is that lithium-ion batteries, if their housing is damaged, they're exposed to extreme heat, or they somehow rupture, they can cause toxic gases, they can create fires and even explosions,” Little added.

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To prevent such incidents, experts stress the importance of proper battery storage and safe charging practices. "We don't want people to charge devices right at the exit,” Little advised. “Put it somewhere else, so if it should start a fire, they would have a way to get out of their home.” Additionally, firefighters recommend ensuring that charging devices are compatible with electronics and avoiding overcharging.