Mischievous cat causes fire after knocking a candle into an empty paper bag in Toronto

It's incredibly easy to joke with life especially when you have nine lives. Maybe the word “fire” wouldn't even catch your eye until you set your apartment ablaze by doing some catly things.

A mischievous feline named Cloud attempted to do one of the most-catly of things when he knocked a candle into an empty paper bag during Friday's freak power outage in Toronto.

According to the cat owner, Natasha Conklin, her feline was lucky to escape miraculously with some singed fur — and no other physical injuries and it was all caught on video.

She said people in Midtown Toronto and Scarborough were plunged into darkness at the time by a raccoon who made contact with equipment at a Hydro One transformer station.

It was only 5:15 p.m. when the lights went out for impacted hydro customers on Jan. 6, forcing most to bust out the flashlights and candles for dinner prep, entertainment, avoiding walls, etc.

"It was the perfect storm. There were a bunch of candles lit around the apartment thanks to the power outage," she said on Monday.

"We had also ordered takeout and the empty paper bag was up on the counter. My partner went to go use the bathroom and when he came out he smelled the smoke and saw the ashes on the counter."

Conklin's partner messaged her right away after seeing the aftermath of Cloud's mischief in their kitchen, telling her to check the home security feed in their new-ish midtown condo unit.

"I check the cameras and see baby Cloud go up on the counter and knock the paper bag onto the candle while he literally just sat there and watched it go up in flames," she said of the beautiful white cat, who presumably enjoys kicking things off tables and wants to watch the world burn as much as any other cat.

"There was no damage and no kitties were harmed, with the exception of a little singed fur). I think my partner learned a new lesson about not leaving candles unattended around the cats."

All's well that ends well, and the video footage of Cloud is funny knowing that nobody was hurt — but this story could have had a different, much sadder ending.

"Unattended candles are a no-no, especially around pets," advises The Kingsway Animal Hospital in Toronto. "Cats and dogs can topple a burning candle easily igniting surrounding objects, and large dogs can knock over a candle with a quick wag of their tail."

Comments

The Real Risks: Weighing Vaccine Side Effects vs. Deadly Diseases

Some dog owners express concern about vaccine risks. Meanwhile, preventable diseases continue to pose a documented threat. For example, a two-year pause in dog rabies vaccination campaigns in Haiti resulted in a five to eightfold increase in animal rabies cases within a single year, creating a public health crisis that required an emergency response. This event illustrates a central fact: the dangers of vaccine-preventable diseases are quantifiably greater than the known risks associated with vaccination. This article will address concerns about vaccine safety by examining the precise nature of both vaccine risks and disease threats, using verifiable data to support informed decision-making for your dog's health. The Biological Impossibility of Canine Autism The claim that vaccines cause autism in dogs is not supported by veterinary science due to fundamental biological reasons. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a human neurodevelopmental condition. Its diagnosis depends on asses...

5 Must-Ask Questions Before You Leave Your Dog at the Groomer

A 2022 study in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior noted that over 50% of dogs show signs of stress during grooming. While severe physical injuries are less common, a single preventable incident is one too many. Cases like those in Louisiana, where dogs received ocular chemical burns from misused shampoo at a licensed facility, demonstrate that a groomer’s marketing claims are not a guarantee of safety. Your dog’s well-being depends on the protocols you cannot see. The only way to evaluate them is to ask direct, specific questions. The goal is not to create conflict, but to identify competence and build trust based on transparent practices. 1. “What is your exact step-by-step protocol for protecting my dog’s eyes during the bath?” The difference between a safe groom and a dangerous one lies in the specifics of execution. Indicator of a Professional “Before the bath, we apply a sterile, vet-approved ophthalmic ointment to lubricate the eyes and create a barrier against shampoo. We av...

The Practical Path to a Pet-Friendly Rental: A Data-Backed Guide

“I would have lived in a tent before I surrendered my dog ,” says Valerie Ducharme, a renter who faced the Yukon's housing crisis with her Australian shepherd. Her sentiment is common. According to a 2023 Canadian Rental Housing Index report , nearly 40% of rental households include pets, yet a systematic analysis of listings in major Canadian markets shows that less than 30% explicitly welcome them. This gap creates a logistical and emotional crisis for responsible pet owners . This guide provides a concrete strategy based on documented landlord concerns and successful tenant approaches. It replaces hope with a structured plan. 1. Reframe the Conversation from Problem to Solution Landlords decline pets based on rational risk assessment. The documented primary concerns are: Property damage (chewed moldings, stained carpets) Noise disturbances leading to tenant turnover Liability issues (dog bites) Residual allergens affecting future tenants Your application must address these poin...

Trojanpost