Dog Playing With Matches Starts House Fire

Officially, the cause of fire at Matthew Gould’s home is listed as dog playing with matches.

Gould, 22, was awakened by a smoke alarm early Wednesday and saw flames in a bedroom. He said he called firefighters, doused the fire and discoverd that Sadie, his 5-month-old German shepherd mix, had gnawed into a cardboard box containing matches.

“This is a first,” said fire Capt. Mark Maker. “The cause of the fire officially is a dog playing with matches. Somehow she chewed … and didn’t slobber enough.”

Gould was relieved when firefighters believed his story.