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Lithium-ion battery caused house fire that killed mother and three children in Merseyside
Investigators said the battery went into thermal runaway, and MFRS warned that 150 lithium-ion battery fires have been reported in Merseyside since 2023.
On Tuesday, September 22, a fire caused by a lithium-ion battery killed Elisha Brabin, 36, and her three children, Leo, 16, Ellis, eight, and Prudence, seven, at their home in Bootle, Merseyside.
An investigation by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and Merseyside Police determined the blaze resulted from an "electrical event" that sent a lithium-ion battery into "thermal runaway," causing rapid temperature spikes.
Statistics released alongside the investigation indicate the service attended 150 fires linked to lithium-ion batteries in Merseyside since April 2023, with the Bootle deaths marking the fifth fatality related to these devices.
Kev Johnson, head of prevention at MFRS, urged residents to follow manufacturer instructions, stating: "We're urging people to follow the manufacturer's instructions," and warning that improper chargers pose "a huge fire risk."
Fire crews are visiting the community this week to offer safety advice, including recommendations to keep escape routes clear, inspect batteries for damage, and maintain working smoke alarms on every level.