In West Virginia, a dog died in a car fire after an SUV spontaneously burst into flames, according to WOWK.
Car with dog inside catches fire
In South Charleston, a Pitbull named Scooby Doo died while trapped in a burning SUV in a Target parking lot on Wednesday. According to the South Charleston Police Department, around 2:30 p.m., calls came in about a car on fire and filled with smoke. Alarmingly, flames engulfed the vehicle in just seven minutes. Apparently, an oxygen tank in the car caused the fire to spread faster than normal. At the time the incident occurred, the couple that owned the dog was shopping inside Target.
Dog dies after car fire
Soon after, officers from the South Charleston Police Department responded to the scene and broke the window to retrieve the dog and put out the flames. Both the South Charleston and Charleston Fire Departments attempted to save the dog at the scene. Unfortunately, the dog died on the way to the vet from severe smoke inhalation. Besides the dog, the car was otherwise empty.
The cause of the fire is currently unknown. The South Charleston Police Department is investigating how the incident happened. Currently, there are no updates from the dog’s owners.
Don’t risk your dog’s life
In a related incident, two dogs in Oregon died during a house fire ignited by stray embers from a wood-burning stove. While accidents can and do happen, it’s imperative that dog owners always prioritize their dogs’ safety. In fact, sometimes fires can even start because of a dog. To avoid such cases, there are some easy and effective ways you can fireproof your home for all its residents.
Tragically, this fire serves to remind dog owners to never leave pets unattended in vehicles, particularly as the weather begins to warm up. Not only can the heat inside quickly become lethal for animals, but there’s also the risk of fires and other accidents. If you happen to see a dog stuck inside a car on a hot day, there are certain protocols to follow. Specifically, certain states grant civilians immunity to break into cars if there’s a reasonable threat to that dog’s life.
Before taking matters into your own hands, however, check with your local statutes first. Ultimately, dog owners should exercise caution and avoid leaving their dogs in the car on any warm day. Even just 10 minutes can raise the temperature inside a vehicle to fatal levels.
