Dramatic moment dog sparks house fire after chewing through portable lithium phone battery

This is the moment a dog starts a house fire after biting into a lithium ion phone battery.

The Tulsa Fire Department released footage showing the portable cellphone battery sparking and bursting into flames in May earlier this year. 

Sat on a pillow, one of the dogs can be seen biting the battery which is in between its two front legs.

However, after the battery catches light it sends the dogs and the cat scrambling away for safety.

The two dogs can then be seen standing together, looking at the flames and barking.

All appears to be well as one of the dogs begins to chew with the battery on a bed in the living room

However, suddenly the battery starts to spark and set alight, causing the pets to run away

After a short while, the battery catches alight and begins to release large flames, causing the dogs to bark

But after a short period of time, the flames intensify and start to spread to the sofa, causing billowing smoke to fill the room. 

The home was said to have sustained significant damage in the fire, but the pets were able to escape and were not harmed, ABC News report.

Andy Little, a spokesperson for the Tulsa Fire Department, said: 'The outcome could've been much worse if there had been no means of escape or if the family was asleep at the time.

'When this energy is released uncontrollably, it can generate heat, produce flammable and toxic gases and even lead to explosions.

'Let us work together to prevent lithium-ion battery-related fires and keep our homes and communities safe.'

A look at the Tulsa Fire Department attending the scene of the fire at the house

The home was said to have sustained significant damage in the fire, but the pets were able to escape and were not harmed

Andy Little, a spokesperson for the Tulsa Fire Department, said the outcome 'could have been much worse'

He went on to describe how lithium ion battery fires are a 'critical issue that has been affecting fire departments across the United States'.

Extreme heat exposure or physical damage to the batteries - which are known for storing a significant amount of energy in a compact space - leads to them catching fire. 

Little urged the public to keep the batteries out of reach of both children and pets.

He also explained how they should be brought to designated recycling centers and not just thrown in the garbage.