A lithium-ion battery ignited during the night and caused a house fire that killed a mother and three children in Bootle, Merseyside, authorities have confirmed. Elisha Brabin, 36, and her children, Leo, 16, Ellis, eight, and Prudence, seven, were found unconscious after flames engulfed their home on September 22. A man was taken to hospital for treatment after being found with burns.
Investigation identifies cause
A police investigation identified the cause of the blaze as a 'thermal runaway', in which a system generates more heat than it can get rid of, causing it to ignite. Firefighters attended the 'well alight' semi-detached home at 3.45am that morning and, equipped with breathing apparatus, searched its rooms.
The mother and all three children were found with no signs of life in a bedroom upstairs and were all declared dead at the scene.
Fire service response
Kev Johnson, the head of prevention at Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, 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.'
He added: '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. This tragedy highlights the very real risks posed by lithium-ion batteries, which we confirmed as the source of the fire.'
Safety advice and statistics
Mr Johnson recommended that people adhere to manufacturers' instructions and only use chargers and batteries supplied with the products. He continued: '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.'
The fire brigade has not confirmed what appliance the lithium-ion battery was in. However, they are commonly used in e-scooters and bikes. Some 150 fires relating to lithium-ion batteries have occurred in Merseyside since August 2023, the fire brigade confirmed. Of these, 45% were in private homes.
Family tribute
Following her death, Elisha's family said she was 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.'
