In an unusual turn of events, a dog in Canton has been held responsible for starting a fire in a local residence early this morning. The Canton Fire Department responded to reports of a fire at a home in the 1300 block of Elmo Avenue NE at around 2:24 a.m., where they discovered a family of 10 people safely gathered outside, stated in a Cleveland19 report.
Trying to reach food left on the stove, one of their dogs inadvertently switched on an electric burner, sparking the blaze, the homeowner explained to firefighters. While attempting to get to the food, the dog caused a minor fire. A media release obtained by FOX8 noted that smoke detectors inside the home were crucial in alerting all occupants, allowing them to evacuate without harm and then extinguish the fire with a garden hose before the fire department's arrival.
Damage from the incident was relatively minor, confined mostly to the oven and resulting in some light smoke damage to the kitchen area. The Canton Fire Department has ruled the fire as accidental, with total damages estimated at approximately $500, according to a statement obtained by Cleveland19. The family, comprising four adults and six children, will be able to continue residing in their home, officials confirmed.
Thankfully, no injuries were reported from the fire, either to humans or pets. "Fortunately, smoke detectors alerted the occupants of the fire allowing them to safely exit the home," Canton Fire Chief Steve Henderson said in a press release cited by FOX8. The fire, while alarming, showcased the importance of functional smoke detectors and the efficacy of a simple garden hose in quelling what could have escalated into a more devastating inferno.
