A dog accidentally triggered a toaster in a Belcamp, Maryland, home on Friday, sparking a fire that killed three pets and caused approximately $200,000 in damages. According to the Abingdon Fire Company and local reports, the blaze began shortly after 5:30 p.m. at a single-family residence on Foxglove Court.
Ring Camera Footage Confirms Fire Origin
Deputy state fire marshals ruled the cause of the fire accidental after reviewing Ring home security camera footage. The video showed one of the family’s dogs jumping onto the kitchen counter and pawing at items, which activated the toaster and ignited nearby combustible materials. According to Fox 45, the fire started in the kitchen before spreading to other areas of the home.
Pet Casualties and Rescues
The homeowners were not present during the incident, and no humans were injured. Neighbors intervened to rescue two dogs from the burning structure. However, a third dog and two cats died in the fire, according to the Abingdon Fire Company. The family’s bearded dragon survived the incident after spending 24 hours in critical care.
Estimated Structural and Content Losses
Fire crews controlled the blaze in roughly 20 minutes, but the residence sustained extensive damage from fire, soot, smoke, and water. Officials estimate the total financial loss at $200,000, broken down as follows:
- Structural Damage: $150,000
- Content Loss: $50,000