THUNDER BAY — Disaster was averted, and a dog escaped injury, after the animal activated a stovetop element, starting a fire in a home in the Municipality of Shuniah.

Shuniah Fire and Emergency Services reported that the incident occurred Friday evening at a residence on Alder Road.

They said that when the pet turned the element on, it caused a nearby cutting board to catch fire.

The occupants of the home had been away, but one resident arrived in time, and took quick action.

Officials said the individual got the dog out of the house, turned off the element, and closed the doors, preventing the fire from spreading.

Firefighters arrived to find smoke on the first floor and smoldering embers in the wall behind the stove.

After extinguishing the fire, they checked the home to ensure it had not spread to other areas of the house.