On Jan. 14 in Dallas County, a household cat jumped onto a stovetop and accidentally turned on a burner, igniting nearby combustibles and starting a kitchen fire that spread to appliances, the kitchen door and the ceiling. Surveillance footage shared with investigators shows the flame appearing about 10–15 seconds after the cat activated the knob. Firefighters contained the blaze to the kitchen and confirmed the rest of the home was unharmed. The Garland Fire Department urged residents to keep cooktops clutter-free and consider knob covers to prevent similar accidents.
Pet Cat Turns On Stove, Sparks Major Kitchen Fire in Dallas County Home
Getty (2)Kitchen fire (stock photo); orange cat (stock photo)
A household cat accidentally started a kitchen fire in a Dallas County, Texas, home after jumping onto a stovetop and nudging a control knob that turned a burner on, authorities said.
On Jan. 14 the Garland Fire Department responded to a reported residential fire in Dallas County. Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze and reviewed home surveillance footage that documented how the incident began. Video obtained by CBS News shows the cat leaping onto the stovetop, hitting the knob and activating the burner. According to the department, a flame appeared about 10 to 15 seconds later.
"10 or 15 seconds after the cat gets up there, all the sudden a fire starts," Jim Dugger of the Garland Fire Department told KRLD News. "The cat jumps down and runs off."
Because several combustible items were left on and around the stove, the small initial flame quickly spread to adjacent appliances, the kitchen door and the ceiling, accelerating the fire's growth. Firefighters contained the blaze to the kitchen; the department confirmed the rest of the house was not affected.
Safety Reminder From Fire Officials
The Garland Fire Department used the incident to remind residents of basic kitchen fire prevention: keep flammable materials such as paper towels, dish towels, food packaging and plastic containers well away from cooktops; never leave cooking unattended; always turn off appliances when not in use; and consider installing stove knob covers in homes with children or pets.
- Keep Cooktops Clear: Clear clutter and combustible items from around burners and hot surfaces.
- Use Knob Covers: Install safety covers on stove controls to prevent accidental activation.
- Stay Attentive: Never leave cooking unattended and turn off burners immediately after use.
- Act Quickly: A few seconds of prevention can stop a small ignition from becoming a destructive fire.
Local outlets covering the incident included WFAA, The Dallas Morning News and Fox News; CBS News provided the surveillance footage that helped investigators determine the cause.
Help us improve.
