Man In Hospital Following Lithium-Ion Fire
Posted on 28 April 2025
A man is in hospital being treated for burns following a fire in Stapleford which started in the early hours of this morning.
Firefighters from Stapleford and Highfields Fire Station attended the fire on Sisley Avenue following a call at 4:08am this morning (Monday 28 April). Firefighters from Stockhill and West Bridgford Fire Station have also attended the fire today and are still in attendance.
The fire was in a steel shed at the bottom of the garden of the affected property, which was started by a lithium-ion unicycle that had been left charging overnight.
Station Manager, Richard Booth, who completed the fire investigation today, said: “Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service would like to wish the gentleman a speedy recovery. This incident sadly shows how dangerous electrical items and lithium-ion batteries can be, if not used properly.
“Following a thorough investigation, this fire could have been caused by one of many reasons, all of which are extremely dangerous and pose a risk to life.
“Firstly, the unicycle was faulty and had been tampered with. This can cause short circuits, which generate excessive heat, meaning that there is a possibility it could have ignited nearby flammable materials.
“The unicycle had also been left to charge overnight, and therefore overcharged – something we, as your fire and rescue service, do not recommend.
“Lithium-ion batteries are powerful, and if misused, can fail catastrophically. Batteries should never be left charging, especially when unattended, near combustibles, or in confined spaces.
“We ask that everyone who uses electrical items and lithium-ion batteries, use them correctly and safely."
You can find further electrical safety messages on our website, as well as safety tips when using lithium-ion batteries.
