A fire that left a mother and her three children dead was caused by a lithium-ion battery, firefighters in Merseyside have said. An electrical event caused the battery, which is commonly used in vapes, ebikes and e-scooters, to go into “thermal runaway”, Merseyside fire and rescue service (MFRS) said in a statement. Crews arrived at the blaze, which ripped through the house in Bootle, at about 3.45am on Tuesday 22 September.
Four people were discovered in an upstairs bedroom showing no signs of life, a fire service spokesperson said. North West ambulance’s hazardous area response team later confirmed that all four had died. They were named by police as Elisha Brabin, 36, Leo Brabin, 16, Ellis Brabin, eight, and seven-year-old Prudence Brabin.
At the fire’s height, six crews were on the scene and eight firefighters entered the house, which was alight when they arrived, they added. MFRS head of prevention said: “This is a devastating incident, and our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of the mother and children who lost their lives and those who were injured. She was a devoted and loving mother who lived for her children.
They were her whole world, and she meant everything to us. They filled our lives with laughter and precious memories that we will cherish for ever. They have all been taken from us far too soon.
The loss we are experiencing is unimaginable, and the impact on our family will be felt for ever.”
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