Firefighters have issued a reminder of their lithium battery safety advice following a fire at a student accommodation block on Station Road in Uxbridge.
Half of a second-floor flat was damaged by fire. A small part of the hallways on the second and first floors were also damaged. There were no reports of any injuries.
The fire is believed to have been accidental and caused by the failure of a lithium-ion power bank.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Lithium batteries are susceptible to failure if incorrect chargers are used, so it’s important to always use the correct charger for the product and buy an official one from a reputable seller.
"You should unplug your charger when you have finished using it and we would advise not to leave it unattended or charging while people are asleep.
“Batteries can present a fire risk if they’re over-charged, short circuited, submerged in water or damaged, so it’s really important to protect them against being damaged too.
“Try to ensure they are not getting knocked around while in use or while being carried as this can increase the chance of damage to cells."
The Brigade was called at 1743 and four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Hayes, Ruislip and Hillingdon fire stations attended the scene. The fire was under control by 1829.