Charging battery believed to have caused house fire

A house fire in Leicestershire is believed to have been caused by a charging lithium-ion battery, firefighters have said.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) said crews were called to reports of the blaze in North Street, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, shortly after 15:00 BST on Saturday.

The fire, which is thought to have started following an electrical fault involving a battery, caused extensive damage to the property, particularly in the kitchen where it had been left charging.

The service said four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were deployed to extinguish the blaze, but the occupant managed to safely evacuate the house.

Joe Warren, community safety station manager for LFRS, said the service was responding to more incidents involving lithium-ion batteries both locally and nationally.

"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."

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