Charging lithium-ion battery believed to have caused house fire

Joe Warren, community safety station manager for LFRS, said the service was responding to more incidents involving lithium-ion batteries both locally and nationally.

“These batteries are used in many electrical products, and if they are damaged, defective or charged incorrectly, they can become unsafe,” he said.

“We recommend only buying batteries, devices and chargers from reputable suppliers, using the correct charger for the product, avoiding charging batteries unattended, and never charging or storing products where they could block an escape route.

“If you notice a battery overheating, swelling, making unusual noises, smoking or giving off a strong smell, stop using it immediately.”