House fire - Eltham

Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to a house fire on Meadowside in Eltham.

Most of the ground floor of a semi-detached house was damaged by fire and part of the first and second floors of the building were also damaged by the blaze. One man left the building before the Brigade arrived and was treated on scene after suffering from smoke inhalation.

The Brigade’s Fire Investigators believe the fire was accidental and involved a lithium-ion battery.

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.”

The Brigade was called at 1952 and the fire was under control by 2045. Fire crews from Eltham, Lee Green, Lewisham and East Greenwich fire stations attended the scene.

Firefighters' safety tips for using lithium-ion batteries safely

• 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
• 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.