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Video shared with WRAL News shows the moment a lithium-ion battery caught fire inside a home, feet away from a dog.


Dog gets a hold of lithium-ion battery, sparks fire in home

FACES FOR THAT RIGHT HERE ON THE DURHAM FREEWAY. >> NEW TONIGHT AND ONLY ON WRAL VIDEO SHOWING THE MOMENT A LITHIUM ION BATTERY CAUGHT FIRE INSIDE A HOME. GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US. I'M GERALD OWENS. YOU SEE A DOG NARROWLY MISSING THAT EXPLOSION IN THAT LIVING ROOM. NOW, HIS OWNER WHO HAPPENS TO BE A FIREFIGHTER IS TALKING EXCLUSIVELY WITH WRAL ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED. HEIDI KIRK SHOWS US HOW YOU CAN AVOID THIS FROM HAPPENING IN YOUR HOUSE. >> LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES ARE EVERYWHERE. IN FACT, YOU ALREADY PROBABLY HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS IN YOUR HOME. THE POWER, LOTS OF DIFFERENT TOY CELL PHONES. EVEN SOME E-BIKES ARE SCOOTERS. THEY'RE COMPLETELY SAFE TO USE. BUT YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW TO GET RID OF THEM PROPERLY. IT WAS A NEAR MISS FOR THIS 5 YEAR-OLD RESCUE COLD AND HIS OWNER SHARED THIS VIDEO WITH US MOMENTS AFTER HE GRABBED A LITHIUM ION BATTERY POWERED DEVICE GROUP, THE SAFETY CL AND CHEWED UP THE BATTERY LEADING TO THIS. HE BIT INTO IT AND YOU CAN SEE IT. YOU KNOW, HE'S SURPRISED BY IT. AND THEN HE'S LIKE, OH, WHAT DID I DO, SIR? WHO'S A FIREFIGHTER HIMSELF SAYS THE FIRE WAS OUT WITHIN MINUTES. THANKFULLY INTO. >> IT PRETTY MUCH FIZZLED OUT BECAUSE OF THE ROAD. AND BECAUSE WE WERE HOME SO QUICK SO THE RUG STILL OVER THERE, TORONTO, THAT WAS THE ONLY THING WE LOST. WRAL IS REPORTED ON THE DANGERS OF THESE BATTERIES BEFORE WHILE THEY'RE SAFE TO USE, THEY CAN SPARK FIRES IF NOT TAKEN CARE OF. WHEN YOU'RE DONE CHARGING THEM LIKE YOU HAVE TO REALLY PAY ATTENTION, UNPLUG THEM. >> YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE YOU STORE THEM, YOU KNOW WHERE THEY CAN'T GET BROKEN OR CRACKED OR TO DO MY DOG AND THEN WHEN YOU'RE WHEN YOU'RE DONE WITH THAT HAVE TO BE DISPOSED IN A SPECIFIC WAY IN RALEIGH, LITHIUM BATTERIES HAVE BEEN LINKED TO ABOUT A DOZEN FIRES IN THE PAST YEAR AND IN DURHAM TO TRASH TRUCKS CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER BATTERIES WERE THROWN AWAY INSTEAD OF RECYCLED FOR SASSER. IT'S A REMINDER TO USE HIS PLATFORM TO LET PEOPLE KNOW HOW TO USE THEM SAFELY. AND THANKFULLY, COLTON IS OK FOR NOW, WAKE ORANGE AND DURHAM COUNTIES ALL HAVE DIFFERENT PLACES WHERE YOU CAN RECYCLE THE SAFELY. WE HAVE ALL OF THOSE LINKED ON OUR

Dog bites lithium-ion battery, sparks fire inside Chapel Hill home

Dog inside home when lithiu-ion battery catches fire

Man charged in deadly Durham hit-and-run was in country illegally

Wilmer Fuentes Mejia

North Carolina lawmakers will attempt to redraw congressional districts

voting map, redistricting

Family of Durham crash victim starts GoFundMe, driver charged

Crash on NC Highway 147 in Durham

More than a dozen firefighters respond to house fire in Fayetteville

Fire at a home on Heatherly Court in Fayetteville

Amid struggles, Belichick defends GM Lombardi, Tar Heels' roster construction

Bill Belichick stands behind program despite report of divide in UNC locker room

Cloudy, cool 40-degree mornings on tap this week

Cooler mornings ahead this week

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Officials were concerned about a number of changes affecting or potentially affecting school meal programs, including changes to federal programs for low-income families.

Educators turn to state after feds cut 'Farm to School' program

A group of educators, policymakers and others is asking state lawmakers to provide $2.5 million to replace part of the $12.5 million cut by the Trump administration.

"You have a little child, little fragile child, that you get a vat of 80 different vaccines, I guess, 80 different blends, and they pump it in," President Donald Trump said in a Sept. 22 press conference.

Fact check: Do doctors recommend '80 different vaccines' for small children?

Trump and Pfizer Announce Deal to Lower Some Medicaid Drug Prices

Monday marks three years since a mass shooting in the Hedingham neighborhood in east Raleigh. On Monday, an end-of-watch ceremony was held for slain officer Gabriel Torres as the 3-year mark conjured memories of those killed.

Three years after Hedingham mass shooting, community remembers those killed

Austin Thompson

Bill Belichick met the media Monday morning, a week after WRAL began reporting about divisions within the UNC football locker room, a disorganized coaching staff and a lack of communication with families.


Bill Belichick expresses confidence in UNC's 'process,' refutes claims he's seeking exit

Bill Belichick

The state's Medical Debt Relief Program has relieved debts for more than 2.5 million North Carolinians, totaling billions of dollars. Officials say it's only the start.

More than $6.5B in medical debt relieved through NC program. Stein calls it 'life changing news'

N.C. health, mental health, Medicaid generic

North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick said a documentary highlighting the football team's in-season journey is still "a work in progress."

'A work in progress': Bill Belichick leaves open possibility of documentary on UNC football team

A file photo of UNC head coach Bill Belichick speaking.

Springfield Middle School in Lucama is set to fully reopen on Oct. 20, a year after a powerful EF3 tornado caused major damage.

Springfield Middle School fully reopens next week, a year after devastating EF3 tornado

Drone 5 flew over Springfield Middle School on Aug. 9, 2024, a day after an EF3 tornado ravaged the area.

In 31 years of marriage, Cheryl Bach and her husband never took their honeymoon, but a scratch-off lottery ticket changed those plans.


Wake County woman decides to take honeymoon after winning $1 million from lottery

$10 Million Spectacular

Derrin Mallory said when he didn't get better after a few days with a fever, his mother took him to their local pediatrician in Roanoke Rapids. A subsequent referral to a Greenville hospital led to a diagnosis that changed everything.


UNC student reflects on overcoming two bouts of cancer

Derrin Mallory

Purdue is No. 1 in the preseason Associated Press men's college basketball poll for the first time.

AP Top 25 poll: Duke ranked No. 6, UNC comes in at No. 25 and NC State is unranked

Duke coach Jon Scheyer looks ahead to 2025-2026 season

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You can meet some of your favorite people from WRAL at the N.C. State Fair this year.


Visit WRAL at the NC State Fair

2025 State Fair Logo

Between Tuesday night's Chris Brown concert at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh and crowds flocking to the North Carolina State Fair, there is bound to be a lot of traffic this week in the area of Blue Ridge Road.


Chris Brown, Billie Eilish concerts could snarl traffic near NC State Fair this week

Carter-Finley Stadium

The hire of a Super Bowl champion and future Pro Football Hall of Famer brought national attention to the University of North Carolina football program. But the culture of the team under Bill Belichick has turned that attention from a positive to a negative just five games into the season.


Chapel Bill thrill to turmoil on the Tar Heels: How the Belichick era devolved in just 5 games

Tar Heel Turmoil

Gavin Edwards got a crashing introduction to one of his neighbors Wednesday when a deer crashed through the storm door of his Fuquay-Varina home.


Caught on cam: Deer burst into Fuquay-Varina home

Deer on doorbell cam

Photos captured in October 2025 show damage to Outer Banks homes in Buxton after a tropical system and nor'easter pounded North Carolina's coast. All photos courtesy of Donny Bowers.

PHOTOS: 10 homes collapse in Outer Banks in 2025

More Outer Banks homes collapse into ocean

Two high-level sources said the University of North Carolina is not currently looking into an exit strategy for coach Bill Belichick, whose contract states he can leave for a $1 million buyout. However, if UNC were to fire him without cause, the university would owe him $30 million total.

Bill Belichick buyout options: What UNC football coach's contract says

A file photo of UNC coach Bill Belichick on the sidelines.

Don't Miss It

The family of Josh Rodriguez Higinio has started an online fundraiser for his funeral expenses.

Family of Durham crash victim starts fundraiser, driver charged

Bill Belichick tries to turn focus to Cal game after reports of toxic culture, dysfunction

Belichick responds to reports of divided locker room, explains recruiting challenges

Hedingham shooting victims remembered 3 years after tragedy

End-of-watch ceremony for Gabriel Torres

Fayetteville Tech lockdown lifted, student recalls hearing gunshots from closet

Fayetteville Technical Community College Spring Lake campus

3 file lawsuit against Warrenton officer for false arrest, fabricating information

Mark Oakley

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Guns seized from home of man charged in Southport shooting

Local News

Authorities find no evidence of shooter after Fayetteville Tech lockdown

People tased by Warrenton police officer file federal lawsuit

Deputy involved in serious crash with pickup truck in Moore County

Government shutdown could be the longest ever, House Speaker Johnson warns

Nation/World

Trump sets off for the Mideast to mark a ceasefire deal and urge Arab leaders to seize the moment

Trump warns Russia he may send Ukraine long-range Tomahawks if Moscow doesn't settle war soon

Vance warns 'deeper' cuts ahead for federal workers as shutdown enters 12th day

Shooting at packed South Carolina bar kills 4 and injures at least 20 others

Mark your calendar and set your alarm for Tuesday, Oct. 14, at 9 a.m. That's when tickets go on sale for the popular Holiday Express train at Raleigh's Pullen Park. This family event often sells out in minutes.


Holiday Express tickets go on sale Tuesday

Holiday Express

Weekend best bets: NC State Fair, Billie Eilish

Six of âThe Greatestâ Songs

Beer in Raleigh: Your weekend brewery crawl guide

Beer

North Carolina State Fair Guide 2025

SAS Championship adds free family fun event

SAS Championship

Foodie News: Stuffed pretzel shop opens in Raleigh

Freshly baked homemade pretzels

Out & About

Fact check: Trump says small children get 80 different vaccines

Politifact

Fact check: Could Affordable Care Act health premiums rise 75% by next month?

Fact check: Jeffries says GOP 'effectively ended' medical research in the US

Fact check: Did Democrats propose to give health care to immigrants illegally in the US?

Federal government shutdown: Live fact-checks as Democrats, GOP spar over health care, layoffs

How they voted: NC congressional votes for the week ending Oct. 9

NC Capitol

NC lawmaker facing sex crime charges appears in court from hospital

Prosecutors: NC legislator facing child sex charges lived with victim for months, faces $1M bond

Gov. Stein continues push for mental health aid focused on public safety

Stein, NC Democratic Party call on legislator to resign after sex charges against a minor

NC isn't meeting federal special education requirements. State officials point to the teacher shortage

Education

After brief suspension, UNC prof back in the classroom, advocating for free speech

Reinstated professor speaks about ordeal at UNC

Teacher of the Week: Nancy Gonzalez

Durham schools look at solutions for classified staff salaries

Moms who overcame addiction helping others through growing statewide network

WRAL In Depth

Man says he lost $200K to executives at center of WRAL investigation

Privatize NC's liquor sales? Leader of DOGE-style group wants to explore the cost

North Carolina child fatality group links social media algorithms, AI chat bots to suicide risks

NC State suit admits 'extensive' PCB contamination, stops short of linking cancer cases to Poe Hall

Titans make Brian Callahan NFL's 1st coach fired this year after 4-19 record and 1-5 start

WRALSportsFan

Dowdle has 239 yards from scrimmage vs. former team as Panthers beat Cowboys on FG as time expires

Mahomes leads the Chiefs to a 30-17 victory over Lions, and a fistfight erupts at the finish

Penn State fires coach James Franklin amid midseason free fall in a lost season

Tears of triumph: Denny Hamlin wins emotional race in Las Vegas, secures championship spot

Volleyball Top 25: CSD, Falls Lake, and Perquimans join this week's statewide Top 25

HighSchoolOT

NC Football Top 25: Northern Guilford joins as the rest of the state sees little change

NC Top 25: At end of regular season, Myers Park girls tennis leads statewide rankings

HighSchoolOT's boys soccer statewide rankings has just one new team this week

HighSchoolOT's 2025 area code Top 15 rankings for volleyball

A man said he gave CJF America's founder and  chief financial officer nearly $200,000 to invest, but now fears the money is gone after learning of criminal charges and allegations against the company's executives

Man claims he lost $200K to two men at center of WRAL investigation

WRAL Investigates found Raleigh Firefighters are working a lot of overtime. Raleigh's Mayor Pro Tempore is now planning to help cut back.

WRAL Investigation into firefighter overtime spurs call to action

After a WRAL investigation showing Raleigh firefighters worked more than 117,000 hours of overtime in one year, Mayor Pro Tempore Stormie Forte requested that the city manager and fire chief formally assess firefighter burnout, appropriate staffing levels, and the need for a shift modification study.

WRAL investigation into Raleigh firefighter overtime spurs call to action by mayor pro tem

Raleigh fire truck at Station No. 5

A church in Edgecombe County is a symbol of the power of a hurricane. WRAL's Tar Heel Traveler shares the spirit of a town, committed to keeping its history upright.

Tar Heel Traveler: Princeville 

One local man who has served in the lions club for over 6 decades. WRAL's Tar Heel Traveler shares the states and continents he's traveled to over that time span and what he says keeps him going.

Tar Heel Traveler: The Longest Lion 

WRAL anchor/reporter Dan Haggerty answers who cleans up the debris after an Outer Banks home collapses into the Atlantic Ocean. He also answered questions about garbage is converted into energy.

In Depth with Dan: Beachfront homes collapse in NC's Outer Banks, converting garbage into energy

In Depth with Dan: Who cleans up the debris when a beachfront collapses in NC's Outer Banks?

WRAL Specialists

5 On Your Side: October safe infant sleep month

Chefs and home cooks disagree: Is non-stick cookware safe/

Restaurant Ratings: Jin Jin Gourmet, IHOP, Yaya Tea

5 On Your Side: How to save money in the kitchen

5 On Your Side

Chapel Bill thrill to turmoil on the Tar Heels: UNC coach to face questions Monday

NC State alums raise concerns of evidence tampering at Poe Hall

NC State admits 'extensive' PCB contamination in lawsuit, stops short of linking cancer cases to Poe Hall

Battling fires and burnout: Raleigh firefighters worked more than 117,000 hours of OT in one year

Investigations

Grace Ueng: Here's what high-definition leadership looks like

Donald Thompson: Brianna Pinto aims to transform lives through soccer

Annual 'All Things Open' conference approaches its 'lucky' 13th year

Guest column: Your job is safer from AI than Silicon Valley wants you to believe

Precidian ETFs Trust Novo Nordisk A/S B Shares ADRhedged (NY:NVOH)

Headline News about Precidian ETFs Trust Novo Nordisk A/S B Shares ADRhedged