Tortoise Escapes Burning Shed in Fullerton

Dramatic video captures the reptile's quick exit as neighbors rush to put out the fire.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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A tortoise named Leo safely scampered away from a burning shed in the backyard of a home in Fullerton, California over the weekend. The fire started after a heat lamp in Leo's enclosure fell onto a pile of mulch, but neighbors were able to quickly extinguish the blaze. Footage captured by the family's security cameras showed the tortoise, known for being one of the world's slowest-moving animals, hustling away from the growing flames.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the potential dangers of heat lamps for pets and the importance of proper enclosure setup and fire safety precautions. The family hopes Leo's dramatic escape will encourage other pet owners to be vigilant about these risks.

The details

According to Joshua Kim, the tortoise's owner, the fire broke out while the family was at a Super Bowl party. His sister texted him about the blaze, and he told her to try and find Leo, who they thought might be hiding under dirt. Luckily, some neighbors saw the fire and quickly extinguished it using a trash can filled with water. The entire incident was captured on the family's security cameras, which they use to monitor Leo's backyard enclosure.

  • The fire erupted in the backyard on Saturday, February 11, 2026.
  • The family was at a Super Bowl party when the fire started.

The players

Joshua Kim

The owner of the tortoise named Leo.

Leo

A tortoise that lives in the backyard of the Kim family's home in Fullerton, California.

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What they’re saying

“Leo, I guess, is a real fast tortoise. Escaping a fire and surviving on its own, pretty amazing.”

— Joshua Kim, Tortoise Owner (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The family plans to review their tortoise enclosure setup to ensure proper fire safety measures are in place to prevent future incidents.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder for all pet owners to be vigilant about potential fire hazards in their animals' living spaces and to have an emergency plan in place in case of a blaze.