Dog Causes Blaze by Turning On Toaster in Margate Home
Fire crews were called into action after a family dog accidentally sparked a fire by jumping onto a kitchen worktop and switching on a toaster. The blaze broke out on October 16 in a Brooke Avenue property, Margate, with flames quickly taking hold in the kitchen.
Quick-Thinking Boy Saves Pets and Family
A 12-year-old boy was inside the house when smoke alarms sounded. Thanks to the early warning, he evacuated safely with the family dog, Herbie, and called the fire service. Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) sent two fire engines, and firefighters tackled the flames using hose reel jets and breathing apparatus to bring the fire under control.
Firefighters Rescue and Revive Family Cat
During their search, firefighters found the family’s cat, Mush, unconscious from smoke inhalation. Using a pet oxygen mask, crews successfully revived the black cat. Although the cat survived, the kitchen was destroyed, with other parts of the home suffering heat and smoke damage.
“He reacted so quickly to the smoke alarms and knew that he had to get out of the house, and was able to get Herbie out too. We had no idea that Herbie jumping up could cause such damage, and we want to share our story to raise awareness,” said the grateful family.
Fire Service Urges Pet Owners to Stay Vigilant
KFRS Area Manager, Suzanna Chisholm, stressed the vital role of working smoke alarms and urged pet owners to take precautions around electrical appliances.
“The swift actions of this young man undoubtedly made a huge difference, saving his pets and preventing further damage to his home. This incident shows that even pets can unintentionally start kitchen fires. To reduce risks, we recommend switching off and unplugging electrical items when not in use and closing kitchen doors if possible.”
This fire is one of 28 pet-related kitchen blazes KFRS has tackled over the past three years, highlighting the urgent need for pet owners to stay alert and secure dangerous appliances.
