A fire that killed a mother and her three children in Merseyside was caused by a lithium-ion battery going into thermal runaway, the local fire and rescue service has said.
Key facts
- A mother and her three children died in the fire last week.
- Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service says a lithium-ion battery caused the blaze.
- An electrical event sent the battery into 'thermal runaway'.
- The batteries are commonly used in vapes, ebikes and e-scooters.
- The service says the incident highlights the risks such batteries can pose.
A fire that left a mother and her three children dead was caused by a lithium-ion battery, firefighters in Merseyside have said, according to the Guardian.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) said in a statement that an electrical event caused the battery to go into what is known as ‘thermal runaway’, a process in which a battery rapidly overheats and can ignite.
The type of battery involved is commonly used in everyday devices including vapes, ebikes and e-scooters, MFRS said.
The service described last week’s incident as tragic and said it highlights the risks that lithium-ion batteries can pose.
No further details about the victims or the circumstances of the fire were provided in the sources available.
Why it matters
Lithium-ion batteries power a growing number of common household and personal devices, and the fire service's warning underscores the potential dangers when these batteries fail. The deaths of a mother and three children illustrate the severe consequences a single battery malfunction can carry.
Frequently asked questions
What caused the Merseyside fire?
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service says the fire was caused by a lithium-ion battery that went into 'thermal runaway' following an electrical event.
What is thermal runaway?
According to the fire service, thermal runaway is what occurs when an electrical event causes a lithium-ion battery to rapidly overheat; the sources do not provide further technical detail.
Where are lithium-ion batteries commonly used?
The fire service says these batteries are commonly used in devices such as vapes, ebikes and e-scooters.