Flat fire – Acton

Firefighters are sharing their advice for using lithium-ion batteries safely after a flat fire on Warple Way in Acton.

Half of a four-roomed flat on the third floor of a residential block was damaged by fire. One man left the building before the Brigade arrived. There were no reports of any injuries.

The Brigade’s 999 Control Officers took 24 calls to the blaze.

The fire is believed to have been 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.

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

The Brigade was called at 0609 and the fire was under control by 0724. Fire crews from Acton, North Kensington, Chiswick and Park Royal fire stations attended the scene.

Firefighters’ battery safety tips

• Always use the charger that came with your 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.