MUM AND THREE CHILDREN KILLED IN DEVASTATING HOUSE FIRE AFTER E-SCOOTER BATTERY GOES INTO THERMAL RUNAWAY

A mother and her three children died in a devastating house fire after an electrical fault caused a lithium-ion battery to go into thermal runaway, investigators have revealed.

Elisha Brabin, 36, and her three children — Leo, 16, Ellis, 8, and Prudence, 7 — died after the fire tore through their family home on Stone Square in Bootle, Merseyside, in the early hours of September 22.

Firefighters were called to the property at around 3:45 a.m. and found the building well alight.

Elisha and her three children were later found in an upstairs bedroom. A fifth person was taken to hospital with burn injuries.

BATTERY IDENTIFIED AS THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE

An investigation by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service’s Incident Investigation Team and Merseyside Police determined that the blaze began with an electrical event involving a lithium-ion battery.

The battery entered what is known as thermal runaway — a process in which a battery generates more heat than it can safely release, causing its temperature to rise rapidly and uncontrollably.

MFRS later confirmed that the battery belonged to an e-scooter. Importantly, the battery was not inside the scooter at the time of the fire and is believed to have been charging when the blaze began.

The discovery has renewed warnings from fire officials about the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries, which are widely used in e-scooters, e-bikes and numerous other devices.

FAMILY FOUND UPSTAIRS

The fire developed with such speed and intensity that firefighters were unable to save the family.

MFRS said crews and emergency medical teams made every effort to reach those inside the property.

Kev Johnson, head of prevention at Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, described the incident as devastating and said the tragedy highlighted the very real risks posed by lithium-ion batteries.

Between April 2023 and August 2026, Merseyside recorded 150 fires linked to lithium-ion batteries, with five deaths associated with those incidents, according to the fire service.

Officials urged the public to use only batteries and chargers supplied with a vehicle or approved by its manufacturer.

They also warned people to stop using a lithium-ion battery immediately if it begins swelling, making unusual sounds, producing a strong smell, failing to charge properly or emitting smoke.

ELISHA REMEMBERED AS A DEVOTED MOTHER

Following the tragedy, the Brabin family released an emotional tribute through Merseyside Police.

They described Elisha as a “devoted and loving mother who lived for her children.”

“She was their whole world, and she meant everything to us,” the family said.

Her three children were remembered as “loved beyond measure” and as children who brought “so much joy, happiness and love” to their family.

“They filled our lives with laughter and precious memories that we will cherish forever,” the family said.

The family added that the loss of Elisha, Leo, Ellis and Prudence was unimaginable and that its impact would be felt forever.

They asked the public to respect their privacy as they grieve and support one another.

A TRAGEDY THAT HAS SHOCKED THE COMMUNITY

The deaths have left the Bootle community mourning a mother and three children whose lives were lost within minutes during the early-morning blaze.

Tributes have been placed near the scene, while schools and members of the local community have expressed their grief following the deaths of Leo, Ellis and Prudence.

For the family, however, the tragedy is far more personal than the circumstances surrounding the fire.

It is the loss of four beloved members of one family — a mother who, relatives said, lived for her children, and three children whose laughter and presence had brought joy to those around them.

As investigators revealed the source of the fire, fire officials also issued a wider warning about lithium-ion battery safety.

For the Brabin family, the warnings come amid an unimaginable loss: Elisha, Leo, Ellis and Prudence were taken far too soon, leaving behind memories their loved ones say they will carry forever.