Run, dog, run: Puppy almost burns down Ringwood house
A puppy has discovered that fire and couches don’t mix. Young Archie accidentally started a blaze in his house that racked up a staggering damage bill for his owner. WATCH THE VIDEO
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A pyromaniac pooch has set fire to its owner’s apartment in Ringwood, causing at least $60,000 worth of damage.
CCTV footage captured the culprit of the blaze, young French Bulldog-Boston terrier cross Archie, red-handed on the couch.
Archie’s owner Dee had a camera set-up in the living room to keep an eye on the 10-month-old when she isn’t home.
To her disbelief, when she was checking in on her dog, she noticed the couch in flames and Archie scrambling for safety.
“It (the jetlighter) wasn’t on the couch,” Dee told 3AW this morning.
“I think he grabbed it off the TV unit or something.
“It must’ve sparked and caught the blanket on the couch on the fire.”
Dee said she has been forced to find alternative accommodation while the unit is replastered, and new floors, cupboards and an airconditioner are installed.
Firefighters arrived on the scene to put out the fire, bringing the blaze under control within four minutes.
Despite Archie being caught in the middle of the blaze, he was able to escape unharmed.
“Archie was fine, he was really sooty, but he was okay,” Dee said.
MFB commander Graeme O’Sullivan has warned people to keep dangerous items in safe places.
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“In the past, we’ve recommended that cigarettes, lighters, and matches should be kept out of reach of kids, but this incident shows that we need to also be mindful of pets,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
Dee started an Instagram page for her puppy in July, but she’s changed the handle to Archie The Arsonist after the recent drama.