A house fire in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, is believed to have been caused by a charging lithium-ion battery, firefighters have stated. Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) crews were called to the blaze in North Street shortly after 15:00 BST on Saturday.
The fire is thought to have started due to an electrical fault involving a battery, causing extensive damage to the property, especially in the kitchen where it was left charging. The occupant safely evacuated the house, and four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the blaze.
Joe Warren, community safety station manager for LFRS, said the service is responding to an increasing number of incidents involving lithium-ion batteries both locally and nationally. He advised buying batteries, devices, and chargers from reputable suppliers, using the correct charger, and avoiding charging batteries unattended or where they could block an escape route.