Charging warning after fire damages home

13/10/2025

A charging e-scooter led to a significant fire over the weekend, leaving a family without a home.

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Fire Control received a call at around 9.50pm on Friday reporting a fire involving a house in Steeple Morden, on the Cambridgeshire Hertfordshire border. Crews from Gamlingay and Cambridge, along with crews from neighbouring Hertfordshire, arrived at the scene to find a well-developed fire. They quickly tackled the fire the wearing breathing apparatus, using hose reels and jets to extinguish it.

The family had safely evacuated the property before the crews arrived. The crews were also able to rescue three cats.

Station Commander Rob Foreman, the officer in charge of the incident, said: “This was a very challenging fire as it was already well-developed when the crews arrived. Firefighters worked extremely hard to try and contain the fire, but it had already spread throughout the downstairs of the property. This shows how quickly a fire can spread when a battery overheats and goes into thermal runaway.”

The battery was charging in the kitchen of the property, while the family was still awake. This allowed them to safely evacuate before the fire spread to other parts of the house.

Rob added: “Fires involving batteries can spread very quickly once they start. They not only cause significant damage to homes but they can also lead to serious injuries if residents get trapped. This is why it is really important to not only charge batteries while awake and alert, but also consider where items are being charged, not blocking exits or stairs for instance.”

This is one of 14 fires crews in Cambridgeshire have attended so far this year involving batteries, with around half involving e-scooters or e-bikes.

As well as charging devices when awake and alert, the Service is encouraging people to plan a good bedtime routine. Things like making sure all internal doors are closed, electrical sockets are switched off, any lit candles are properly out, heating appliances are off and keeping hallways and stairs clear of obstructions. This will not only help prevent a fire from happening but also ensure an easy escape if one does.

Residents can also use our online home safety check to carry out their own fire risk assessment of their home. This simple to use tool goes through each area of a property and generates a safety plan for the occupants to follow. The check can be carried out on behalf of a vulnerable family member too.

More information and safety tips on how to Take Charge and Be Safe can be found in our Community Safety section.