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Michigan homeowner narrowly escaped disaster when his cat accidentally set the oven on fire while he was asleep. The Almira Township Fire Department responded to a call at 2:30 a.m. on October 1 about a residential fire on Burnt Mill Road, where they found that a family pet had cycled the oven into self-clean mode.

    Fortunately, the fire remained contained within the oven and smoke detectors alerted the residents, who were able to extinguish the flames with a nearby fire extinguisher. The department praised the homeowner for having working smoke alarms and a fire extinguisher on hand.

    The incident highlights a common issue: pets can easily activate stove controls, leading to fires. According to experts, ovens catching fire is not uncommon, and cats are particularly prone to triggering self-clean mode by stepping on buttons with their paws.

    To prevent such incidents, electrical services company owner Daniel Vasilevski recommends investing in lock features for stove controls or childproof covers. He also advises keeping stoves empty when not in use and regularly cleaning the inside to remove grease and food residue that can ignite during self-clean mode.

    Licensed home inspector Mike Leggett warns against using ovens as storage space, while fire safety expert Steve Lockwood cautions against reheating containers or boxes in the oven unless they are specifically designed for it. Keeping smoke detectors with fresh batteries and a fire extinguisher handy is also crucial in preventing such incidents from escalating into tragedies.