Ashby de la Zouch house blaze started by charging battery as firefighters issue urgent warning

Ashby de la Zouch house blaze started by charging battery as firefighters issue urgent warning Crews were called to reports of a huge blaze at a home in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, after a devastating house fire was thought to have been caused by a lithium-ion battery charging in the kitchen Firefighters have issued an urgent warning to Brits after a devastating house fire was thought to have been caused by a lithium-ion battery which was left on charge. Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) said crews were called to reports of a huge blaze at a home in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, shortly after 3pm on Saturday. The fire, which engulfed the residential property causing thousands of pounds of damage, is thought to have started following an electrical fault involving a battery. The damage was particularly bad in the home's kitchen where the battery had been left charging. No-one was injured in the fire, but it caused extensive damage to the property, the service said. “Our crews attended a house fire in Ashby over the weekend believed to have been caused by an electrical fault with a lithium-ion battery which was being charged,” the service wrote in a post on Facebook with images of the aftermath." “The blaze, as shown in the pictures, serves as a stark warning of the damage that can be done by lithium-ion batteries.” Firefighters were responding to more incidents involving lithium-ion batteries both locally and nationally, Joe Warren, community safety station manager for LFRS told the BBC. "These batteries are used in many electrical products, and if they are damaged, defective or charged incorrectly, they can become unsafe," he said. "We recommend only buying batteries, devices and chargers from reputable suppliers, using the correct charger for the product, avoiding charging batteries unattended, and never charging or storing products where they could block an escape route. "If you notice a battery overheating, swelling, making unusual noises, smoking or giving off a strong smell, stop using it immediately." Tips for avoiding fires while charging lithium-ion batteries - Don’t charge lithium batteries overnight or when you’re out of the house. - Always use the manufacturer’s charger. - Charge batteries on a hard, non-combustible surface and away from escape routes. - Stop using and safely dispose of any battery that shows signs of damage, swelling or overheating. - Never cover batteries or chargers while charging.