A firefighter’s own dog accidentally sparked a house fire by chewing on a lithium-ion battery charger, proving that even fire safety professionals aren’t immune to the growing dangers of everyday electronic devices in American homes.
Story Highlights
- Chapel Hill firefighter’s dog Colton chewed phone charger, igniting living room fire caught on security camera
- Lithium-ion batteries cause thousands of house fires annually across the United States
- Fire department transformed embarrassing incident into public safety education campaign
- Similar pet-related battery fire occurred in same region one year prior with significant house damage
Firefighter’s Home Becomes Cautionary Tale
David Sasser, a firefighter at Chapel Hill Fire Station 4, received an alarming call from his monitoring agency while away from home. The company informed him they could see fire in his living room through security cameras. The culprit turned out to be his dog Colton, who had chewed on a phone charger containing a lithium-ion battery, causing it to spark and ignite on the family’s rug.
Security Cameras Document Battery Fire Hazards
The incident was captured entirely on security footage, providing rare visual documentation of how quickly lithium-ion battery fires can develop. The video shows Colton grabbing the charging device and biting into it, causing immediate sparks that fizzled out onto the carpet. This real-world evidence demonstrates the unpredictable nature of battery-related fires that threaten American households daily.
Thousands of Annual Battery Fires Plague Nation
Lithium-ion batteries cause thousands of fires every year across the United States, powering common household devices including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and electric vehicles. When damaged or punctured, these batteries experience thermal runaway, creating intense heat and flames. The Chapel Hill incident represents a growing pattern of pet-related battery fires, with a nearly identical case occurring in the same region approximately one year earlier.
Fire department officials acknowledged human responsibility in preventing such incidents, with firefighters stating “it’s our fault we leave stuff around.” The department’s assistant chief initially shared the video among friends before the fire chief decided to use it for widespread public safety education, recognizing the broader implications for American families.
Public Safety Message Goes National
The incident gained national attention when CBS Evening News featured the story in mid-October 2025, surprising those involved with its widespread reach. Chapel Hill Fire Department transformed what could have been professional embarrassment into a valuable teaching moment about battery safety in homes. Colton remains popular at Fire Station 4, where he’s described as “pretty popular despite kind of being an arsonist himself,” demonstrating the importance of proper electronic device storage around pets.
Watch: Security camera catches dog starting fire in owner's N.C. home: A security camera at a North Carolina firefighter's home captured the moment his family dog sparked a fire by chewing on a device with a lithium-ion battery. https://t.co/CXqOiQ7lqt
— Opening Day Game (@OpeningDayNFL) October 15, 2025
This incident highlights critical gaps in household fire prevention that every American family should address. The case proves that traditional pet-proofing measures must now include securing electronic devices and charging equipment, as lithium-ion battery technology becomes increasingly prevalent in daily life.
Sources:
Dog starts house fire security camera footage
