Toy Poodle's Dramatic Fire Scare Before Crufts Show in Birmingham
In a startling incident captured on home camera, a toy poodle accidentally set his ear on fire from a candle, mere days before he was due to compete at the prestigious Crufts dog show in Birmingham. The pet, named Phillip, managed to escape serious injury and went on to achieve second place in his category, showcasing remarkable resilience after the frightening event.
Footage Reveals Close Call with Naked Flame
Nakita O'Hare Wilson, a 35-year-old dog breeder from Ayrshire, Scotland, recorded the moment her 14-month-old toy poodle, Phillip, leaned over a coffee table and brushed against a lit candle. The footage shows Phillip sniffing for food when his right ear fur ignited, prompting a rapid response from Nakita's husband, Kenneth, 38, who was relaxing on the sofa.
Kenneth can be heard yelling "fire" and exclaiming in panic as he pats down the dog to extinguish the flames on March 4, 2025. Nakita, returning to the living room, found a scorched Phillip bolting away, with the smell of burning fur filling the air. She later described the scene as terrifying, noting that her husband's reaction immediately signaled something was wrong.
Grooming and Competition Amid the Chaos
The incident occurred just three days before Phillip was scheduled to compete in the Toy Poodle Good Citizen category at Crufts, which took place last weekend. Nakita had invested significantly in Phillip's appearance, spending £100 every three weeks on professional grooming sessions since January, including one shortly before the fire.
Despite the singed hairs and the shock of the event, Phillip was taken back to the groomers the following Friday, where experts skillfully concealed the damage. Nakita expressed relief, stating that you couldn't tell anything had happened after the grooming touch-up.
Second Place Victory Despite the Scare
Against all odds, Phillip competed at Crufts and secured an impressive second place in his category. Nakita, proud of her pet's achievement, emphasized that Phillip had a lucky escape and no serious harm was done. She reflected on the incident as a stark reminder of pet safety, especially with open flames in the home.
In response to the scare, Nakita has moved the candle to a safer side table and vowed not to light one since, urging other pet owners to be cautious. She owns ten other dogs, including an Italian greyhound and nine miniature dachshunds, but noted this was a first-time occurrence that couldn't have come at a worse time.
This story highlights the importance of keeping lit candles out of reach of pets, no matter how well-trained they may be, to prevent similar accidents in households across Birmingham and beyond.
