Winnipeg Woman Warns After Dog Starts TWO Fires with Stove

URGENT UPDATE: A Winnipeg woman is sounding the alarm after her dog accidentally ignited two fires on her Samsung stove, raising serious concerns about appliance safety. Michelle Burkowski discovered the hazards of her kitchen appliances after a shocking incident in May 2025.

On that fateful day, Burkowski returned home to find her house filled with smoke and a fire raging on her stove. “I ran into the kitchen to check on the dog, and that’s when I noticed that there was a book on fire on top of the stove,” she recounted. Burkowski quickly extinguished the flames and realized her dog, Buster, had jumped up and inadvertently turned on the stove knobs, which are mounted on the front of the appliance.

Burkowski later learned that Samsung had issued a safety recall in August 2024 for certain electric ranges due to a fire hazard posed by these front-mounted knobs. The recall warned that both pets and children could activate the burners unintentionally. Health Canada has urged owners to contact Samsung Canada for free knob locks or covers to prevent similar incidents.

Just a month later, while Burkowski was at work, tragedy struck again. A second fire erupted when Buster allegedly activated the oven switch, igniting dry goods left inside. “I was completely shocked. I’d never thought in a million years that a dog would be able to turn the oven on,” said Burkowski, expressing her disbelief and fear for her pet’s safety.

According to Health Canada, the recall affects approximately 326,250 Samsung ranges sold in Canada since 2013. The agency has received over 110 reports of unintentional activation of the stove elements, with 62 incidents resulting in fires. In the U.S., the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported 250 fires linked to the same issue, leading to 40 injuries and extensive property damage.

Burkowski expressed frustration over the lack of notification regarding the safety recall. “I didn’t register my purchase with Samsung,” she admitted, highlighting a broader concern about consumer safety notifications. Ken Whitehurst, executive director of the Consumers Council of Canada, called for manufacturers to take more proactive steps in registering appliances sold to customers.

“Maybe it should be a legal requirement that they simply register the sale so that the consumer will be informed if there’s a product safety problem,” he stated.

In addition to the Samsung ranges, Health Canada has also issued recall notices for certain LG electric ranges with similar front-mounted knobs, emphasizing the need for consumer awareness regarding potential fire hazards.

As Burkowski awaits a replacement set of knob covers—previously shipped but allegedly stolen—she urges other pet owners and parents to consider the risks associated with their kitchen appliances. “If my dog can turn the oven on, certainly a child could,” she warned.

This situation serves as a critical reminder for all homeowners to remain vigilant about appliance safety, particularly those with pets or children. With kitchen fires being a leading cause of home fires, it is imperative to take precautions to avoid future incidents. Stay informed, stay safe, and check your appliances for recalls today.