Footage has been sent to Harrow Online showing firefighters tackling a blaze at a property in Stanmore this afternoon (Tuesday, 19 August).
The fire broke out at a house on Beverley Gardens, damaging part of the first floor. Thankfully, there were no reports of any injuries.
London Fire Brigade confirmed the blaze was believed to have been accidental, caused by the failure of a lithium ion battery in a tablet.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Lithium batteries store a significant amount of energy in a very small space and are much more powerful compared to other types of batteries. If that energy is released in an uncontrolled way, then a fire or explosion may result. If there is overheating, crushing, penetrating or overcharging, then a fault can occur within damaged battery cells which may cause the battery to catch fire.
“Fires involving lithium batteries, which power devices, can be ferocious, producing jets of flame. The blaze is also hot enough to melt through metal. This type of fire produces a highly flammable, explosive and toxic vapour cloud which should never be inhaled. The fire can also be extremely challenging to put out. Our advice is to get away to safety and call 999.
“Lithium batteries, or the devices powered by these batteries, should be stored and charged in a location away from where people live, such as in a shed or a garage. This helps to reduce the risk of people being harmed in the event of a fire. If they have to be stored inside, make sure there is smoke detection fitted, it’s kept it in a room where you can shut a door and contain a fire and your means of escape is not obstructed. Never store or charge on an escape route such as a hallway or by an exit to a property.
“It is also important to ensure that you buy your batteries from a reputable seller and to ensure you are using the correct charger for the batteries.”
Control Officers said they received the first of 13 calls at 2.35pm. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Harrow, Northolt and Mill Hill fire stations were sent to the scene. The fire was brought under control by 3.49pm.
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
Harrow Online reaches hundreds of thousands of readers each month and has a social media audience of more than 200,000 followers.
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