Warning as charging tablet overheats and causes serious house fire
Firefighters have issued a warning after a tablet overheated while charging and caused a house fire which injured three people.
The blaze, at a house in Cheslyn Hay, Staffordshire, is thought to have started when a tablet stored under a mattress overheated while charging and caught fire.
Three people had to be rescued from the fire which started in an upstairs bedroom of the house at around 6.30pm on March 29.
Two firefighters wore breathing apparatus and used a hose-reel jet to put out the blaze and positive pressure ventilation was used to clear the smoke.
Two men, a woman and a teenager were treated at the scene for severe smoke inhalation by West Midlands Ambulance Service and taken to hospital.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service is now warning residents to not leave electronic items, including mobile phones and tablets, on materials that could easily catch fire after investigations suggested the tablet started the blaze.
Prevention delivery lead at Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, Lisa Jenkinson, said: “This terrible incident serves as a stark reminder not to leave items charging or store electrical items on materials that could catch fire when hot.
“Please always place phones and tablets on to a safe surface when charging and do not leave items on charge unattended for long periods of time.
"Turn them off before you go to bed and check any devices that your children use too; to ensure they are charged and stored safely.
“Make sure you buy genuine chargers for your items and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
“Also, take a moment to ensure that your smoke alarms are working correctly and test them regularly.
"Thankfully there were working smoke alarms in this home which alerted the family to the fire.”
