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A devastating house fire which killed a mother and three children was caused by a lithium-ion battery, an investigation revealed today.
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investigation → see → battery
Elisha Brabin, 36, and her children Leo Brabin, 16, Ellis Brabin, eight, and seven-year-old Prudence Brabin died in the blaze at their home in Bootle, Merseyside.
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Brabin → die → Bootle
An investigation into the cause of the blaze found it was started by an electrical event which caused a lithium-ion battery to go into thermal runaway.
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battery → find → runaway
Thermal runaway occurs when the battery generates more heat than it can safely release, causing its temperature to rise rapidly and uncontrollably.
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temperature → occur → heat
The findings of the investigation by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) were released today following the blaze in the early hours of Tuesday, September 22.
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findings → release → Tuesday
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.
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who → find → 3.45am
A fifth casualty was taken to hospital suffering from burns.
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casualty → take → burns
Kev Johnson, head of prevention at MFRS, said: '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.
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who → say → lives
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
'
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Brabin → die → 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.
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this → like → fire
'This tragedy highlights the very real risks posed by lithium-ion batteries, which we confirmed as the source of the fire.'
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we → highlight → fire
The fire service has not confirmed what the battery was being used for, but they are often found in e-bikes and e-scooters.
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they → confirm → bikes
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.
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service → say → 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.
'
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anything → say → risk
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.'
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it → know → smell
Following their deaths, the family of Ms Brabin said they were 'loved beyond measure' – with relatives left 'devastated'.
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they → follow → relatives
They said: 'Elisha was our beloved daughter, wife, mother, sister, auntie, niece and cousin.
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Elisha → say → ?
She was a devoted and loving mother who lived for her children.
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who → love → children
They were her whole world, and she meant everything to us.
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she → mean → us
'Our beautiful babies, Leo, Ellis and Prudence, were loved beyond measure and brought so much joy, happiness and love to our family.
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babies → love → family
They filled our lives with laughter and precious memories that we will cherish forever.
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we → fill → that
The tragic loss of Elisha and our three precious children has left us heartbroken.
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loss → leave → us
They have all been taken from us far too soon.
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They → take → us
The loss we are experiencing is unimaginable, and the impact on our family will be felt forever.
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impact → experience → family
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 not confirmed what the battery was being used for
A Gofundme page set up for the family has raised more than £12,000.
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page → investigate → 12,000
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.'
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that → set → community
He said funds could go towards funeral costs or anything else the family needed.
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family → say → costs
Mr 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.
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blaze → look → screaming
He said: 'Some of the guys here are real heroes.
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Some → say → guys
They were trying to run in, get ladders or smash windows to get people out.
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They → try → people
People nearly risked their own lives to try and help.'
Flowers were left at the scene in tribute to the family.
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Flowers → risk → 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.
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number → include → family
One card had the message: 'God bless you all.
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God → bless → you
Another said: 'Sleep tight.
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Another → say → ?
The Aporia
