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Bedroom blaze sparks battery charge warning

Harriet Heywood
BBC News, Peterborough
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service A bedroom with charred walls and a window in the centre. The covers and mattress on the bed have been burned, exposing the metal springs underneath. Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service said the residents were alerted by their smoke alarm and managed to escape unharmed

Firefighters have warned people to unplug their devices when fully charged following a blaze in a bedroom.

Crews were called to a flat on Gladstone Street in Millfield, Peterborough, at about 14:00 BST last Thursday.

They believed a lithium-ion battery in a tablet overheated while left charging, which caused it to set alight.

Station commander Gareth Boyd said Cambridgeshire's fire service had already attended more battery-related fires in the home this year than the 20 that took place in 2024.

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service Close up of exposed metal springs of a burnt, blackened and charred mattress. On top, a damaged charging cable can be seen alongside the remains of a melted tablet.Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service
In the aftermath of the blaze, the charging cable could still be seen plugged into the remains of the melted tablet

The service said people should put portable devices on a solid surface when charging and leave them uncovered, to prevent batteries getting too hot.

Mr Boyd said: "Most devices come with safety features to ensure they do not overheat when being charged correctly.

"Using the charging packs, cables and plugs provided by the manufacturers, rather than cheaper versions, will help charge devices safely.

"If you need to purchase a replacement battery or charger then make sure they are fully compatible charging to the correct volts/amps."

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