Dog causes fire in kitchen that nearly kills family cat

It was a seemingly normal day in Kent when a series of unexpected events unfolded, leaving a family in shock and their home in ruins. An unsuspecting dog, named Herbie, had caused a devastating kitchen fire by simply jumping up on the worktop and turning on the toaster. The flames quickly spread, causing chaos and destruction in its wake.

Thankfully, the family had a functioning smoke alarm that immediately sounded, alerting the quick-thinking 12-year-old boy inside. He wasted no time in getting his beloved dog out of the house and calling the Kent Fire and Rescue Service for help. Two fire engines and their crews rushed to the scene and were able to extinguish the fire using breathing apparatus and hose reel jets.

However, amidst the chaos, the firefighters discovered poor Mush, the family's cat, unconscious and terrified. She had been hiding between two pillows, trying to escape the danger. The kitchen was completely destroyed, and other parts of the property had also suffered from heat and smoke damage.

Fortunately, the firefighters were equipped with a pet oxygen mask and were able to resuscitate Mush. The fire service's volunteer response team also arrived to support the family and help them find temporary accommodation.

The family expressed their gratitude to the fire service and praised their son for his quick thinking and bravery during the incident on October 16. They were amazed at how he had reacted so calmly, following the sound of the smoke alarms and making sure to get himself and Herbie out of harm's way.

They also shared their shock and regret over the fact that such a simple action, like their dog jumping up on the worktop, could result in such a devastating outcome. They wanted to raise awareness about the potential dangers of pets accidentally starting fires.

Suzanna Chisholm, the area manager for customer safety at KFRS, commended the young boy's actions, stating that they had undoubtedly made a huge difference in the outcome of the incident. She stressed the importance of having working smoke alarms in every household as they can save lives.

Chisholm also highlighted the fact that dogs can indeed start fires, something that many people may not be aware of. She advised everyone to switch off and unplug electrical items when not in use, to prevent pets or children from accidentally turning them on. She also suggested closing the kitchen door when not in use, as a precaution against pets jumping up and knocking switches, such as cooker knobs.

The family's ordeal serves as a reminder to always be mindful of potential hazards and to take necessary precautions to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.

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