A house fire in Harrow Weald over the weekend was caused by the failure of a lithium-ion battery, London Fire Brigade has confirmed.
The blaze broke out at a semi-detached property on Barchester Road on the afternoon of Saturday, April 12. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) received around seven emergency calls and responded with four fire engines and approximately 25 firefighters from Harrow, Northolt, and Wembley stations.
Crews were able to bring the fire under control within an hour. The first floor of the house sustained significant damage. One man was treated at the scene by London Ambulance Service personnel. There were no further injuries reported.
Cause Confirmed as Lithium-Ion Battery Failure
Investigators determined that the fire was accidental, caused by the malfunction of a lithium-ion battery in a power drill.
In a detailed statement, a London Fire Brigade spokesperson warned of the dangers posed by lithium-ion batteries:
“Lithium batteries store a significant amount of energy in a very small space. If that energy is released in an uncontrolled way, it can cause a fire or explosion.
“Fires involving lithium batteries can be ferocious, producing jets of flame hot enough to melt metal and release a highly flammable, explosive, and toxic vapour cloud. These fires can be extremely challenging to extinguish.”
Safety Advice Issued
The LFB urged the public to exercise caution when using and charging devices powered by lithium batteries, including power tools, e-scooters, e-bikes, laptops, and phones.
“Always store and charge these devices away from living spaces – ideally in a shed or garage. If stored indoors, make sure it’s in a room with smoke detection, a shuttable door, and a clear escape route. Never store or charge these devices in hallways or near exits.”
They also advised buying batteries from reputable sellers and using the correct chargers to minimise fire risk.
The fire was first reported at 3:51pm and declared under control by 4:41pm.
The incident serves as a reminder of the growing risks associated with modern rechargeable batteries and the importance of safe storage and charging practices.
