An investigation by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) has found that an electrical event triggered thermal runaway in a lithium-ion battery, starting the house fire in Bootle that killed Elisha Brabin, 36, and her three children.
Ms Brabin and her children Leo Brabin, 16, Ellis Brabin, eight, and seven-year-old Prudence Brabin died in the blaze at their home on Stone Square in the early hours of Tuesday, September 22. A spokesperson for MFRS said the fire was ignited by an electrical event which caused a lithium-ion battery to enter thermal runaway, a situation where the battery produces more heat than it can safely dissipate, leading to a rapid and uncontrolled surge in temperature.
Fire crews' response
Firefighters were called to the property at around 3.45am and discovered Ms Brabin and her children in an upstairs bedroom. Another individual was taken to hospital suffering from burns. The father is believed to have attempted to enter the house to rescue his family but was beaten back by the flames.
Kev Johnson, head of prevention at MFRS, 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.
"I would like to commend the efforts of our fire control staff and our fire crews, also working with NWAS colleagues, who made every effort to provide a different outcome, but sadly this was not the case due to the speed and intensity of the fire.
Lithium-ion battery risks
"This tragedy highlights the very real risks posed by lithium-ion batteries, which we confirmed as the source of the fire." The fire service has not confirmed what the battery was being used for, but these batteries are commonly found in e-bikes and e-scooters.
MFRS reported 150 fires linked to lithium-ion batteries in Merseyside between April 2023 and August 2026, with five fatalities associated with these batteries. Mr Johnson urged: "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."
Family tribute
Following their deaths, Ms Brabin's family described her as a "devoted and loving mother who lived for her children". They said: "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 forever."
