House fire - Hackney

Firefighters are sharing their tips for charging devices safely after a house fire on Parkholme Road in Hackney.

Part of a room on the ground floor of a detached house was damaged by fire. Four people left the building before the Brigade arrived. There were no reports of any injuries.

The Brigade’s Fire Investigators believe the fire was accidental and caused by the failure of a lithium-ion battery within a mobile phone power bank.

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.”

The Brigade was called at 1332 and the fire was under control by 1406. Three fire engines and around 15 firefighters from Islington and Stoke Newington fire stations attended the scene.

Firefighters' tips for charging your devices

• Always use the charger that came with your electrical item
• 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.