Merseyside blaze that killed mother and three children caused by lithium-ion battery

A fire that left a mother and her three children dead was caused by a lithium-ion battery, firefighters in Merseyside have said.

An electrical event caused the battery, of a type commonly used in vapes, ebikes and e-scooters, to go into “thermal runaway”, Merseyside fire and rescue service said.

Crews arrived at the blaze, which ripped through the house in Bootle, at about 3.45am on Tuesday 22 September.

Four people were discovered in an upstairs bedroom showing no signs of life, a fire service spokesperson said. North West ambulance’s hazardous area response team later confirmed that all four had died.

They were named by police as Elisha Brabin, 36, Leo Brabin, 16, Ellis Brabin, eight, and seven-year-old Prudence Brabin.

At the fire’s height, six crews were on the scene and eight firefighters entered the house.

The fire service’s head of prevention, Kevin Johnson, 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.

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

The service did not confirm what the lithium-ion battery at the home was being used for.

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.”

In a tribute issued on Wednesday, relatives of the victims said: “Elisha was our beloved daughter, wife, mother, sister, aunty, 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 for ever.

“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 for ever.”