Dog set house on fire on Christmas Eve after accidentally turning on a common household item

While you might not think of your pets as being a fire hazard, you may be putting them and yourself in danger at home without realising it.

Animals are often left in potentially life-threatening situations when house fires break out but, they can also be responsible for causing them.

Naturally curious and often left alone for hours at a time, there is plenty of scope for cats and dogs to cause a blaze. This is exactly what happened to this pooch who reportedly set the house on fire on Christmas Eve.

It was likely the dog who started the blaze

Following reports of a smoke-filled house, firefighters were called to Hockley in Essex, England on Christmas Eve. The crew worked quickly to extinguish the blaze after locating it in the bedroom.

Thankfully, the dog was waiting by the front door when the homeowner returned and both were treated for smoke inhalation.

Watch Manager Gary Shinn said:

The homeowner was out and came back to find her house full of smoke.

We believe the fire started because a hairdryer was left plugged in and on a bed.

We think the dog may have then jumped on the bed and turned the hairdryer on, eventually causing it to catch alight to the bedding and mattress.

Unplug devices before leaving home

The fire brigade has urged people to unplug electrical appliances when they are not being used.

The crew advised:

Once you've finished with any electrical appliances such as hairdryers and straighteners please take a moment to unplug them.

According to the crew, the homeowner wouldn't have thought for one moment her dog would turn on the hairdryer, but removing any risks ‘gives you that peace of mind’.

Sources used:

- BBC News: 'Dog starts house fire after turning on hairdryer'

- Essex County Fire & Rescue Service: 'Dog turns on hairdryer and causes bedroom fire'

- Express: 'Dog 'started fire' after accidentally turning hairdryer on in Christmas Eve blaze in Essex'