Firefighters are sharing their battery safety advice after five fire engines and around 35 firefighters responded to a flat fire on Woolwich Common.
Half of a three-bedroom flat on the third floor, in a residential block of six floors, was damaged by the fire. Control Officers gave vital fire survival guidance to neighbouring properties on how to stay safe before firefighters arrived.
The Brigade was called at 1533 and the fire was under control by 1624. Crews from Plumstead, East Greenwich, Eltham and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.
The Brigade’s Fire Investigators believe the fire was accidental and likely caused by the failure of a lithium-ion battery inside a vape.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “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 and charge them safely.
"Unplug devices once they have finished charging and make sure you use the right charger for your device.
“This is also a timely reminder to test your smoke alarms. Having working smoke alarms is so important in helping to detect fires and save lives. They can provide time to escape.”
Firefighters’ battery safety tips:
- Always use the charger that came with your phone, tablet, e-cigarette or mobile device.
- If you need to buy a replacement, always choose a branded, genuine product from a supplier you can trust. There are lots of fakes out there, and it can be difficult to spot the difference.
- Avoid storing, using or charging batteries at very high or low temperatures.
- Protect batteries against being damaged - that's crushed, punctured, or immersed in water.
- Don’t leave items continuously on charge after the charge cycle is complete - it's best not to leave your phone plugged in overnight for example.
- Never cover chargers or charging devices - that includes using your laptop power lead in bed.
- When you travel, avoid keeping all your items containing lithium-ion batteries together, especially on a plane. Check with your flight carrier for additional information or advice.