London Fire Brigade issues safety advice after flat fire

Celadon Close in Brimsdown and (inset) a 'hoverbaord' — *Celadon Close in Brimsdown and (inset) a ‘hoverbaord’*

A faulty ‘hoverboard’ sparked a flat fire in Brimsdown – and prompted London Fire Brigade to issue a safety warning.

Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters tackled the fire in Celadon Close yesterday (23rd). Part of a five-roomed flat on the first floor of a residential block was damaged by fire. There were no reports of injuries.

The fire is believed to have been accidental and caused by a fault in an electrical hoverboard – not the type used by Marty McFly in the Back to the Future films, but a self-balancing scooter.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Always follow manufacturers’ instructions when charging items, like hoverboards, and we would advise not to leave it unattended or while people are asleep.

“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.

“Batteries can also pose a risk if they have been damaged, so try to ensure they are not getting knocked around while in use as this can increase the chance of damage to cells. You should also not expose them to extremes of temperature.”

London Fire Brigade was called at 4.39pm and the fire was under control by 5.37pm. Fire crews from Enfield, Edmonton and Chingford fire stations attended the scene.

London Fire Brigade’s top electrical safety tips:

Don’t use imitation electrical chargers, as they may be unsafe
Make sure electrical appliances have a British or European safety mark when you buy them
Unplugging appliances and chargers when you are not using them or when you go to bed helps reduce the risk of fire
Keep to one plug per socket
Remember: scorch marks, flickering lights, hot plugs and sockets, fuses that low or circuit-breakers that trip for no obvious reasons could be signs of loose or dangerous wiring

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