Fatal house fire that killed mother and her three children was started by charging e-scooter battery

A fatal house fire that killed a mother and three of her children was caused by an e-scooter lithium-ion battery which was on charge at the time, it was confirmed today. Elisha Brabin, 36, and her children Leo Brabin, 16, Ellis Brabin, eight, and seven-year-old Prudence Brabin died in the devastating blaze at their home in Bootle, Merseyside. An investigation into the cause of the fire found it was started by an electrical event which caused a lithium-ion battery to go into thermal runaway. Thermal runaway occurs when the battery generates more heat than it can safely release, causing its temperature to rise rapidly and uncontrollably. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) has since confirmed the battery was from an e-scooter and was being charged separately when the fire broke out on Tuesday, September 22. Ms Brabin and her children were found in an upstairs bedroom by firefighters who were called to the home on Stone Square at about 3.45am.A fifth casualty was taken to hospital suffering from burns.Kev Johnson, head of prevention at MFRS, said on Monday: '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. Elisha Brabin, 36, and her daughter Prudence, seven, who died in the fire in Merseyside Elisha Brabin - who was found in an upstairs bedroom by firefighters - and her partner Kane Ellis Brabin, eight, also died in the blaze in the early hours of Tuesday, September 22 Leo Brabin, 16, was also killed in the fire at the family's home on Stone Square in Bootle Prudence Brabin, seven, died in the house fire with her mother and siblings at about 3.45am'I would like to commend the efforts of our fire control staff and our fire crews, also working with NWAS (North West Ambulance Service) colleagues, who made every effort to provide a different outcome, but sadly this was not the case due to the speed and intensity of the fire.'This tragedy highlights the very real risks posed by lithium-ion batteries, which we confirmed as the source of the fire.'The service said there had been 150 fires linked to lithium-ion batteries in Merseyside between April 2023 and August 2026, and five fatalities linked to the batteries.Mr Johnson said: 'We're urging people to follow the manufacturer's instructions, only using batteries and chargers which have been supplied with the vehicle or approved by the manufacturer, as anything else can pose a huge fire risk. 'The five Ss': Signs a lithium-ion battery may be failing Swell - A battery swelling or bulging out of shape is a common sign of it failingSound - failing lithium batteries may also make hissing or cracking soundsSmell - A strong or unusual smell coming from the battery may mean the battery is failingStopping – If your battery stops charging, doesn't fully charge or takes too long to charge, this can also be a signSmoke or gas – If your battery, bike or scooter is smoking, this means a fire is about to start. Get out, stay out, call 999 'It's also important to know and recognise the signs that your lithium-ion battery may be failing – if it is swelling, making unusual sounds, has a strong smell, is failing to charge, or is smoking, please stop using immediately.'Following their deaths, the family of Ms Brabin said they were 'loved beyond measure' – with relatives left 'devastated'.They said: 'Elisha was our beloved daughter, wife, mother, sister, auntie, niece and cousin. She was a devoted and loving mother who lived for her children. They were her whole world, and she meant everything to us.'Our beautiful babies, Leo, Ellis and Prudence, were loved beyond measure and brought so much joy, happiness and love to our family. They filled our lives with laughter and precious memories that we will cherish forever.'The tragic loss of Elisha and our three precious children has left us heartbroken. 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 forever.'A GoFundMe page set up for the family has raised more than £13,000.Neighbour Loti Nambombe, who set up the fundraiser, said: 'Everybody just wants to do something to help, that's our duty as neighbours and as a community.'He said funds could go towards funeral costs or anything else the family needed. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service has investigated the cause of the fire in Bootle An investigation into the cause of the blaze in Merseyside has been carried out Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service has since confirmed the battery was being used for an e-scooterMr Nambombe, who has been looking after the family's dog since the fire, said residents came out in the street to help after hearing screaming when the blaze broke out.He said: 'Some of the guys here are real heroes. They were trying to run in, get ladders or smash windows to get people out. People nearly risked their own lives to try and help.'Flowers were left at the scene in tribute to the family. A number of soft toys, including Minecraft and Star Wars characters, were laid on the pavement next to a police cordon, along with candles, pink and blue star-shaped balloons and photo frames showing images of the family.One card had the message: 'God bless you all. Heartbroken to hear about the devastating fire.'Another said: 'Sleep tight. Forever in our hearts.'