Lithium-ion battery fire killed Bootle mum and three children
A fatal house fire that killed a mother and her three children was caused by a lithium-ion battery, the fire service has said.
Elisha Brabin, 36, and her children, Leo, 16, Ellis, eight, and Prudence, seven, died after a blaze “spread rapidly” inside a house on Stone Square in Bootle, Merseyside, in the early hours of 22 September.
Following an investigation with Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) said the fire was caused by an electrical event linked to a lithium-ion battery, which are used in e-bikes and e-scooters.
Kev Johnson, of MFRS, said: “This tragedy highlights the very real risks posed by lithium-ion batteries, which we confirmed as the source of the fire.”
Six fire engines were at the scene at the height of the blaze at the semi-detached property, at 03:45 BST last Tuesday.
MFRS said four people “showing no signs of life” had been found in an upstairs bedroom.
A fifth casualty was taken to hospital suffering from burns.
“This is a devastating incident, and our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of the mother and children who lost their lives and those who were injured,” said Johnson, head of prevention at the fire service.
He commended the efforts of staff and NWAS colleagues “who made every effort to provide a different outcome”.
“Sadly this was not the case due to the speed and intensity of the fire”.
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