A tragic event has shocked the community in Bootle, Merseyside, England, where a 36-year-old mother and her three children lost their lives after their home was engulfed in flames in the early hours of the morning.
The victims have been identified as Elisha Brabin, 36, and her children Leo, 16, Ellis, 8, and Prudence, 7. All four were found unresponsive by firefighters in an upstairs bedroom of the Stone Square apartment.
Emergency services were alerted at around 3:45am on Tuesday, September 22. A fifth person was taken to hospital after suffering burns.
Preliminary investigations by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service have determined that the fire is believed to have started after an electrical incident, which caused what is known as a “thermal runaway” in a lithium-ion battery. This process can cause an uncontrolled increase in temperature and the spread of fire very quickly.
Authorities have not said which device the battery was in. However, lithium-ion batteries are widely used in various electronic devices, including electric bicycles and scooters.
Fire service prevention manager Kev Johnson said the speed and intensity of the flames made it extremely difficult to contain, despite the efforts of emergency crews.
Authorities have reiterated their call for citizens to use only batteries and chargers recommended by manufacturers. They also advise that a battery should not be used if it swells, emits an unusual odor, smokes, makes strange noises or does not charge normally.
According to fire service data, 150 fires related to lithium-ion batteries were recorded in Merseyside from April 2023 to August 2026. Five people died in these incidents.
Elisha’s family members have remembered her as a devoted mother, saying that her children were the center of her life. The family says that the three children were extremely loved and that their loss has left an irreparable pain.
Meanwhile, the local community has mobilised to help the family. A fundraising campaign has raised more than £12,000, while neighbours have said they tried to intervene themselves during the fire, looking for ways to enter the house and save the family.
Flowers, candles, toys, and photographs have been placed at the site of the tragedy, as a tribute to Elisha and her three children.