House fire - Croydon

Firefighters are sharing their battery safety advice after a house fire on Coleridge Road in Croydon.

Part of the ground floor of a semi-detached house was damaged by fire. A man and a child left the building before the Brigade arrived and were taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews.

The Brigade’s Fire Investigators believe the fire was accidental and caused by the failure of a lithium-ion battery in the kitchen.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Batteries can present a fire risk if they’re over-charged, short circuited, submerged in water or damaged, so it’s really important to protect them against being damaged and charge them safely.

"Unplug devices once they have finished charging and make sure you use the right charger for your device.

“This is also a timely reminder to test your smoke alarms. There were no working smoke alarms fitted inside the property.

“Having working smoke alarms is so important in helping to detect fires and save lives. They can provide time to escape.”

The Brigade was called at 1639 and the fire was under control by 1702. Two fire engines and around 10 firefighters from Woodside and Beckenham fire stations attended the scene.

Firefighters’ battery safety tips

• Always use the charger that came with your phone, tablet, e-cigarette or mobile device.
• If you need to buy a replacement, always choose a branded, genuine product from a supplier you can trust. There are lots of fakes out there, and it can be difficult to spot the difference.
• Avoid storing, using or charging batteries at very high or low temperatures.
• Protect batteries against being damaged – that's crushed, punctured, or immersed in water.
• Don’t leave items continuously on charge after the charge cycle is complete – it's best not to leave your phone plugged in overnight for example.
• Never cover chargers or charging devices – that includes using your laptop power lead in bed.
• When you travel, avoid keeping all your items containing lithium-ion batteries together, especially on a plane. Check with your flight carrier for additional information or advice.