House fire that killed mother and three of her children was started by a charging e-scooter battery

 A house fire that killed a mother and three of her children was caused by an e-scooter lithium-ion battery that was on charge at the time, it has been confirmed. 

Elisha Brabin, 36, and her children Leo Brabin, 16, Ellis Brabin, eight, and seven-year-old Prudence Brabin died in the blaze at their home in Bootle, Merseyside, last week. 

An investigation into the cause of the fire found it was started by an electrical event which caused a lithium-ion battery to go into thermal runaway.

Thermal runaway occurs when the battery generates more heat than it can safely release, causing its temperature to rise rapidly and uncontrollably. 

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) has since confirmed the battery was from an e-scooter and was being charged separately when the fire broke out on Tuesday, September 22. 

Ms Brabin and her children were found in an upstairs bedroom by firefighters who were called to the home on Stone Square at about 3.45am.

A fifth casualty was taken to hospital suffering from burns.

Kev Johnson, head of prevention at MFRS, said: '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. 

Elisha Brabin, 36, and her daughter Prudence, seven, who died in the fire in Merseyside

Elisha Brabin - who was found in an upstairs bedroom by firefighters - and her partner Kane

Ellis Brabin, eight, also died in the blaze in the early hours of Tuesday, September 22

Leo Brabin, 16, was also killed in the fire at the family's home on Stone Square in Bootle

Prudence Brabin, seven, died in the house fire with her mother and siblings at about 3.45am

'I would like to commend the efforts of our fire control staff and our fire crews, also working with NWAS (North West Ambulance Service) colleagues, who made every effort to provide a different outcome, but sadly this was not the case due to the speed and intensity of the fire.

'This tragedy highlights the very real risks posed by lithium-ion batteries, which we confirmed as the source of the fire.'

The service said there had been 150 fires linked to lithium-ion batteries in Merseyside between April 2023 and August 2026, and five fatalities linked to the batteries.

Mr Johnson said: 'We're urging people to follow the manufacturer's instructions, only using batteries and chargers which have been supplied with the vehicle or approved by the manufacturer, as anything else can pose a huge fire risk.

'It's also important to know and recognise the signs that your lithium-ion battery may be failing – if it is swelling, making unusual sounds, has a strong smell, is failing to charge, or is smoking, please stop using immediately.'

Following their deaths, the family of Ms Brabin said they were 'loved beyond measure' – with relatives left 'devastated'.

They said: 'Elisha was our beloved daughter, wife, mother, sister, auntie, niece and cousin. She was a devoted and loving mother who lived for her children. They were her whole world, and she meant everything to us.

'Our beautiful babies, Leo, Ellis and Prudence, were loved beyond measure and brought so much joy, happiness and love to our family. They filled our lives with laughter and precious memories that we will cherish forever.

'The tragic loss of Elisha and our three precious children has left us heartbroken. They have all been taken from us far too soon. The loss we are experiencing is unimaginable, and the impact on our family will be felt forever.'

A GoFundMe page set up for the family has raised more than £13,000.

Neighbour Loti Nambombe, who set up the fundraiser, said: 'Everybody just wants to do something to help, that's our duty as neighbours and as a community.'

He said funds could go towards funeral costs or anything else the family needed.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service has investigated the cause of the fire in Bootle

An investigation into the cause of the blaze in Merseyside has been carried out

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service has since confirmed the battery was being used for an e-scooter

Mr Nambombe, who has been looking after the family's dog since the fire, said residents came out in the street to help after hearing screaming when the blaze broke out.

He said: 'Some of the guys here are real heroes. They were trying to run in, get ladders or smash windows to get people out. People nearly risked their own lives to try and help.'

Flowers were left at the scene in tribute to the family. A number of soft toys, including Minecraft and Star Wars characters, were laid on the pavement next to a police cordon, along with candles, pink and blue star-shaped balloons and photo frames showing images of the family.

One card had the message: 'God bless you all. Heartbroken to hear about the devastating fire.'

Another said: 'Sleep tight. Forever in our hearts.'

'The five Ss': Signs a lithium-ion battery may be failing 

• Swell - A battery swelling or bulging out of shape is a common sign of it failing
• Sound - failing lithium batteries may also make hissing or cracking sounds
• Smell - A strong or unusual smell coming from the battery may mean the battery is failing
• Stopping – If your battery stops charging, doesn't fully charge or takes too long to charge, this can also be a sign
• Smoke or gas – If your battery, bike or scooter is smoking, this means a fire is about to start. Get out, stay out, call 999