In the last three years, Kent Fire and Rescue Service has responded to 28 kitchen fires where the cause has been linked to a pet – the most recent this year on 16 October, in Margate.

The fire at the home in Brooke Avenue is believed to have started when Herbie the dog jumped up on the worktop and turned on the toaster, resulting in a fire in the kitchen.

Fortunately, the family’s smoke alarms alerted the 12-year-old occupant, allowing him to quickly get outside safely with Herbie, and the fire service was called.  

Two fire engines attended and crews, wearing breathing apparatus, used hose reel jets to extinguish the flames. Firefighters discovered the family cat, Mush, hiding unconscious between two pillows, and they used a pet oxygen mask to successfully resuscitate her.

KFRS’ volunteer response team attended to support the family and assist in arranging alternative temporary accommodation. The kitchen was destroyed in the fire and other parts of the property were damaged by heat and smoke.  

Following the incident the family thanked the fire service and said how proud they were of the quick-thinking actions of their son, saying: “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 didn’t realise that Herbie jumping up could result in so much damage, and that pets could accidentally start fires this way! So we want to share what has happened to raise awareness.”

KFRS Area Manager for Customer Safety, Suzanna Chisholm, said: “The swift actions of this young man undoubtedly made a huge difference to the outcome of this incident, saving his pets and preventing further damage to his home. It goes to show how important working smoke alarms are.  

“You don’t necessarily expect a dog to be able to start a kitchen fire – but it can and does happen. To help reduce the chance of electrical fires we advise everyone to switch off and unplug electrical items off when not in use, which will also prevent pets, or children, accidentally turning them on. People can also close their kitchen door when not in the room, if they have one, to make sure pets don’t jump up and knock switches, like cooker knobs.”