A significant rise in fires caused by animals has led to the launch of a new campaign by the North Yorkshire fire service. Firefighters in the area have responded to more incidents involving pets over the past year than to fires triggered by lithium batteries or electric bikes and scooters, which tend to be more prevalent in other parts of the country.
Watch manager, Craig Lyons, reported around ten fires linked to pets, with some incidents stemming from animals accidentally turning on cooking appliances or even mice gnawing through electrical wiring. He emphasized the importance of making homes “pet-proof.” This includes securing loose wires and decluttering spaces.
Mr. Lyons advised pet owners to ensure their animals aren’t left alone in the kitchen around potentially hazardous appliances, and recommended installing cat flaps when feasible. In a previous year, three dogs were rescued from a house fire in Harrogate that ignited after they accidentally switched on the kitchen cooker.
“We were getting a high number of these incidents so we decided to do something about it. We have had a couple of incidents involving house fires where people have left appliances on and unfortunately the pets have been in the property on their own. Then we have had incidents involving pets where they have knocked a candle over or they have knocked the knobs on the hob” Mr Lyons explained.
While cats and dogs are typically involved in these incidents, smaller creatures like mice and rats can contribute to the problem as well. Mr. Lyons stressed that it is ultimately the owner’s responsibility to secure their homes for the safety of their pets. “We can’t educate a pet how to keep calm and how to keep safe, they will probably just panic,” he said.
The North Yorkshire campaign, which will run through March and April, is believed to be a pioneering effort of its kind.