A Maryland family’s home security camera captured the heartbreaking moment their dog accidentally started a house fire that killed three other pets.

According to CBS News, the fire broke out on Friday, July 10, at a home in Belcamp, Md., while the homeowners were away.

Investigators with the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal later reviewed Ring camera footage from inside the home, which showed the family’s dog, Bo, jumping onto the kitchen counter before inadvertently activating the toaster. The appliance ignited nearby combustible materials, sparking the blaze.

About 30 firefighters responded to the home and brought the fire under control in approximately 20 minutes.

The fire was ruled accidental.

Neighbors rescued Bo and another dog, named Addie, from the burning home. However, a third dog, Dakota, and the family’s two cats died in the fire, per the outlet. Officials estimated the blaze caused approximately $150,000 in damage to the home and another $50,000 in damage to its contents.

While the circumstances may sound unusual, fire safety experts say pets unintentionally start house fires more often than many people realize.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, pets accidentally start nearly 1,000 home fires in the United States each year, often by turning on cooking appliances, knocking over candles or damaging electrical equipment. Approximately 500,000 pets are affected by home fires annually.

The incident in Maryland is the latest example of an animal inadvertently triggering a devastating blaze.

In 2024, a Colorado family’s home security camera captured another dog accidentally turning on a stovetop after jumping up to investigate boxes left on the range. The resulting fire caused extensive damage to the home, though both the homeowners and their pets survived after an early warning from a smart home device.

Following both incidents, fire officials stressed the importance of keeping combustible items off countertops and cooking appliances, especially in homes with curious pets.

The National Fire Protection Association also recommends using stove knob covers or removing stove knobs when pets are left home alone, not leaving food or other tempting items on stovetops, and ensuring working smoke alarms are installed throughout the home.

Source: People