Police in Virginia said a gun, stored in an oven, overheated and fired rounds. (Chesterfield Police)
CHESTERFIELD, Va. - Police in Virginia have issued a warning for people not to store guns, or anything else, inside their ovens after a frightening incident.
Chesterfield Police said last week, firefighters responded to a home after the owner's oven exploded.
An investigation revealed that someone turned on the over with a handgun inside. The weapon heated up, and five rounds went off.
No one was hurt.
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"When you place any item in the oven it is easy to forget it is there, which can lead to a fire or something worse when you turn it on," police said on its Facebook page. " You should also make sure to properly store your firearms. Keep them somewhere secure, like a gun safe."
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A gun firing on its own when it's overheated is called "cooking off." It happens when the gun absorbs heat from its surroundings.