In a bizarre incident in Sichuan province, southwestern China, a cat named Jingoudiao caused a significant fire in its owner’s home by inadvertently activating an induction cooker. The incident, which occurred on April 4, resulted in damages exceeding 100,000 yuan (approximately Rs 11,67,641), as reported by the South China Morning Post.
The cat’s owner, Dandan, was alerted by the property management staff about the fire in her residence. Upon rushing back, she discovered that the blaze, which had engulfed the entire first floor of her loft, was triggered by Jingoudiao who had been playing in the kitchen and stepped on the appliance’s touch panel.
Firefighters later found the golden British Shorthair cat unharmed, hiding in an upstairs cabinet and covered in ash.
Following the incident, Dandan humorously changed her pet’s Douyin (Chinese version of TikTok) account name to “Sichuan’s most badass cat” and began featuring Jingoudiao in live-streaming sessions to “compensate” for the mishap. She added a touch of humor by labeling her cat an “arsonist” and joked about making him “work to pay off his debt.”
In an effort to address the situation with levity and responsibility, Dandan also posted an online apology letter, complete with her fingerprint and Jingoudiao’s paw print. She acknowledged her oversight in forgetting to turn off the power to the cooker and pledged to be more vigilant about fire safety.
The story quickly went viral, resonating with many pet owners who shared their own anecdotes of mischievous pets. One user expressed gratitude, stating, “Thank you. I just switched off my electric cooker. I have a naughty cat who goes everywhere in my flat.” Others shared light-hearted frustrations about their pets’ antics, such as causing high water bills by flushing toilets or interfering with cooking plans.
This unusual tale not only highlighted the unexpected hazards that pets can inadvertently cause but also showcased a community of pet owners connecting through shared experiences of the unpredictable aspects of animal companionship.