A house fire which occurred on Wednesday, 2 July, has been deemed accidental, caused by the failure of a lithium-ion battery.
Firefighters from Stockhill, London Road, and Arnold Fire Station attended the fire on Burford Road, Forest Fields, following a call at 4:20am.
One male was rescued from the three-storey property by firefighters, and eight others were led to safety – three of whom sustained minor injuries.
Following a joint fire and police investigation, the fire has been deemed to have started accidentally, following the failure of a lithium-ion battery pack which had been left charging overnight.
Head of Community Safety and Engagement, Amy Goulden, said: “Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries are on the rise, and as a service, we are attending more of them. This incident is just another example of how dangerous these types of fires can be.
“Thankfully, the incident was resolved quickly, and we are relieved to hear the injuries of those involved are minor. However, the effects could have been catastrophic.
“The battery involved in this incident was from an e-bike which had been purchased second-hand online. Although the charger was the one which had come with the bike, it may not have been through the rigorous safety checks needed to sell these products new on the high street.
“We recommend that electrical items, including e-bikes and e-scooters, are always bought from a reputable retailer and have the correct kite marks. When charging items, we advise that the correct chargers are always used, and that they are charged during the day and whilst you’re in the property – charging batteries overnight or whilst unattended, like in this instance, can cause serious damage.
“Please do not charge e-bikes, hoverboards, or e-scooters near your exits. If an electrical fire does occur, we want you to be able to get out as quickly as possible, stay out, and call 999.”
