McLaren hospitality suite fire

McLaren hospitality suite evacuated at Spanish GP after fire breaks out

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A fire broke out at the McLaren hospitality suite in the Barcelona paddock shortly before Practice Three of the Spanish GP. It is understood that a least two fire staff personnel were treated for smoke inhalation.

The McLaren team endured a scare at the Spanish Grand Prix on Saturday morning when what is believed to be an electrical fire broke out in their motorhome, causing it to be evacuated. The fire brigade was brought into the paddock to deal with it and it is understood several people were taken for treatment due to smoke inhalation.

“One McLaren team member has been taken to hospital as a precaution, and all McLaren personnel and guests are accounted for,” McLaren said later.

An hour before the final practice session began in Barcelona, with the team’s hospitality suite hosting guests, team members and drivers, the fire broke out in the unit that has two floors, reportedly above the kitchen, which is located on the ground floor.

The lights went out and everyone was ushered out, including the British driver Lando Norris and his Australian teammate, Oscar Piastri.

The fire brigade was summoned into the paddock, with personnel from other teams acting swiftly to clear the way for the emergency services. The firefighters entered the hub with hoses to deal with the fire, while ambulances also arrived, although it is believed there were no serious injuries.

Much of the drivers’ equipment is kept in the motorhome, including their race suits but the team were able to continue with the final practice session with both drivers taking to the track and the team running as planned.

Spain has suffered a fire in the paddock before when the Williams garage endured a serious blaze when fuel caught fire after Pastor Maldonado had won the race for the team here in 2012.

fire outside St Mary’s Stadium

Fire at industrial unit outside Southampton FC’s St Mary’s Stadium

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The fire at an industrial unit on Marine Parade just outside St Mary’s Stadium broke out two weeks ago at about 13:00 on Wednesday 6th. 

The fire led to the Saints’ Championship match against Preston North End on Wednesday evening being called off. The club announced on Friday that the Championship match against Sunderland, scheduled for Saturday would be going ahead.

However, in a statement, the club added: “Due to its close proximity to the site of the fire, the family zone will be closed.” This is also alongside parts of the South car park. Saints said a new date for Wednesday’s postponed game would be announced in due course.

The fire service said crews would be at the fire throughout Friday and repeated advice not to handle ash or debris. Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service said there was currently “no indication” of its cause. The fire service also added, “If you find ash and debris on your property you are advised to leave it alone.”

The fire was controlled late on Wednesday night. Crews scaling down two fire engines and an aerial ladder platform by Thursday afternoon. South Central Ambulance Service said one person was treated for the effects of breathing in smoke. Luckily there were no other reported injuries.

Crews worked throughout Friday to deal with the last remaining hotspots. However, they were able to leave the site on Friday night, the fire service said. The fire started in the former Greenham’s building on the Central Trading Estate. Three of five units at the site were “fully involved” in the blaze. The fire service said at its height more than 100 firefighters attended the fire.

Image Source – Fire at industrial unit outside Southampton FC’s St Mary’s Stadium

Image 1 – Southampton fire – link

Council is warning people

Council warning issued to people after fires forced temporary closure of two HWRCs

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Lincolnshire County Council is warning people that batteries and electricals cannot be discarded in general waste bins after two household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) were forced to close due to separate battery fires. 

The council stressed that batteries need to be recycled with other electricals in separate containers at HWRCs.

On 5 February a fire at the Spalding HWRC was started after a car battery was discarded into general waste. The fire was attended to by crews from Spalding and Boston fire stations and the site remained closed for several hours.

Then later in the week on 10 February a fire at Gainsborough HWRC was attended by fire crews from Gainsborough after a fire broke out in their general waste bin.

The cause of the fire was identified as a wrongly discarded AA battery and the HWRC reopened the following day.

Council Warning

Cllr Daniel McNally, executive member for waste and recycling at Lincolnshire County Council, explained: “Whether it goes into your bins at home, or to a Household Waste Recycling Centre, waste is compacted several times on its journey to its final destination, and it’s at these points where electrical items that have been disposed of incorrectly can spark and start a fire.

“These incidents at Spalding and Gainsborough are the latest in a line of fires caused by electrical items in the wrong place. We’ve seen fires in bin lorries and even at our contractors’ processing plants; it must stop.

“Putting electrical items and batteries in bins puts waste workers at risk. You’ll find recycling points for batteries and electrical items of all types and sizes at each of our household waste recycling centres. You can also recycle batteries at most supermarkets”.

Disposing properly of all electrical items is very important. We stress how key it is to follow the in-place procedures regarding this. The wrong disposal methods can be very dangerous as shown by events like this.

second most common cause of fire

Nottingham firm believes it has the solution for Britain’s second most common cause of fire

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The supplier of a ground-breaking fire suppression device could be poised to help extinguish the second most common cause of fire in the UK.

Nottingham-based company Aerocom (UK) Ltd has struck a five-year deal with pioneering Swedish company MAUS. This deal is to supply a unique fire suppression device called the Advanced Pro Stixx to the UK market. The devices are available in three sizes. The smallest of which is the size of a two-fingered Kit-Kat. It can automatically extinguish electric fires in seconds, including lithium-ion battery fires. These types of fires are becoming a growing concern with the increase in electric vehicles.

Fires ignited from an electrical distribution source were the second most common cause of fire in the UK. This was according to Government figures for the year ending March 2023, according to Government figures. Cooking appliances were the only source to cause more fires than electrical.

Aerocom (UK) Ltd believes that prior installation of the Advanced Pro Stixx device could have potentially prevented the recent spate of devastating lithium battery fires that engulfed three electric London buses last month. This bold claim could allow for many other similar incidents to be eliminated in the near future.

Where could this product be seen?

The inexpensive and super-lightweight device could potentially become a permanent fixture in homes, holiday homes, caravans, offices and infinite other applications across the UK. Aerocom (UK) Ltd says the Pro Stixx could save lives and millions of pounds in damages. These devices have the potential to slash insurance costs.

Tom Hughes, managing director of Aerocom (UK) Ltd, said: “This product is incredible. It is a genuine game-changer in terms of fire protection and suppression. There is nothing else like it available anywhere.”

The Pro Stixx can be installed in any enclosed electrical space in seconds. These include fuse boxes, electrical cabinets and the battery compartment of electric vehicles. They work by flooding the space with harmless potassium-based smoke when the temperature exceeds 170 degrees Celsius.

Typically, within five seconds, the heat source is fully extinguished. These devices can suppress fires before they have a chance to spread. They are especially crucial in terms of lithium-ion battery fires, which are notoriously difficult to put out and are prone to reignition.

What is being said?

Fire chiefs in the UK are especially worried about the increase in home fires brought on by batteries inside e-bikes and e-scooters. The London Fire Brigade has issued multiple safety warnings in response to the 150 recorded e-bike fires and 28 recorded e-scooter fires in London alone last year. The number of these fires has risen 60% over the previous year.

The launch announcement by Aerocom (UK) Ltd follows three instances in January where buses operated by Go Ahead London caught fire and became quickly engulfed in flames. These events put lives at risk and heaped pressure on London Mayor Sadiq Khan to address the problem.

Mr Hughes said that, since his firm won the UK contract with MAUS to supply the devices, he had been inundated with enquiries from organisations and individuals clamouring to place orders. Many more MAUS fire suppression products for other applications are available. It is inevitable that, through Aerocom (UK) Ltd, this product range will be developed and expanded.

Aerocom (UK) Ltd is an established leading supplier of pneumatic tube systems to manufacturing, logistics and healthcare facilities. They are an approved supplier of the NHS, which has already expressed an interest in Pro Stixx.

Another key source of interest has come from the holiday lets and the camping and caravanning sector. For them, this device is seen as a major innovation in fire protection.

“The technology is tried, tested, and proven,” said Mr Hughes. “It is also utterly simple to install and inexpensive – not least when you balance it with the cost of fire-related loss or damage and potentially losing a life.”

The MAUS Advanced Pro Stixx has been granted a CE mark for fire safety. It was assessed to meet the European high safety, health, and environmental protection requirements.

Electrical Fire Stafford

Stafford man ‘loses everything’ in electrical-bike fire

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A Stafford man has said he has “lost everything” after an electrical fire that started because his electric bike exploded.

Dave Bird, from Stafford, was on holiday with his children in Wales last month when he was told about the fire by his friend who was house-sitting and looking after his pets.

“Everything is just gone, the kitchen is obliterated, all my furniture, my cooker, totally devastated,” said Mr Bird.

“There are things I can’t get back, pictures of my mum and my dad who’ve both passed, items of jewellery from my dad, his fob watch and things like that. Things that the kids have made me.”

‘Totally devastated’

He continued: “The thing that really upset me was pictures of my daughter on the wall who I lost in 2010. They were totally… That really upset me.”

Mr Bird’s friend, Dan, had bought the E-bike as a gift for him to help with his mobility issues and he planned to surprise him with it when he returned home from holiday.

Shortly after putting the bike on charge, Dan heard a bang from the kitchen and the fire erupted.

Mr Bird returned from holiday to a burnt-out shell of a house after the fire had ripped through his home and destroyed all of his belongings.

‘You buy something you expect it to work’

“He plugged it in at night for a few hours to make sure it was ready for the morning when I got back and it blew up,” said Mr Bird, “he heard a fizz and a pop and then the fire just spread and everything gone, that’s it.”

“He had to go the hospital for oxygen, the kittens had to go for oxygen, I’m just thankful he got out safe,” he said.

“There’s nothing you can do, he felt like it was his fault. I said ‘You wouldn’t expect that’, you buy something you expect it to work don’t you.”

An investigation by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service found the main source of the fire was the battery charger – and they are now issuing warnings to anyone who is considering purchasing an E-bike.

To charge the bikes safely the fire service is urging people to always use the correct charger and not to charge them overnight due to the risk of bikes overheating.

“We’re seeing a rise in the number of issues we’ve got with the safety of those, particularly around the chargers,” said Tony Shore, Staffordshire Trading Standards Operations Manager.

“A lot of fires that are caused are as a result of faulty electrical goods and it’s important that you do your research before you buy them.

“Make sure that they comply with the appropriate British standards and make sure, more importantly, that they’re genuine products and they’re not counterfeit.”

The charger was bought from Amazon and Dave now wants the retailer to take it off sale.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Amazon said: “We’ve reached out to the customer directly and a full investigation’s underway. Safety is important to Amazon and we want customers to shop with confidence on our stores.

“We monitor the products sold for product safety concerns and require all products on Amazon to comply with applicable laws and regulations.

“If customers have concerns about an item they’ve purchased, we encourage them to contact our Customer Service directly so we can investigate and take appropriate action.”

Mr Bird rents his house from the council and they have told him it’ll take at least six months to rebuild it.

Lithium-ion batteries and E-bike fires specifically are a growing problem. More and more cases like this one seem to be occurring every week. These are serious matters and luckily, in this case, no one was hurt. This Stafford electrical fire incident is an eye-opener for many and should act in spreading awareness of incidents like this one.

Fire Service warning on e-bike

Nottinghamshire Fire Service issue warning after e-bike battery explosion

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Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service have shared footage of an incident where an e-bike battery exploded.

Electric bikes, also known as e-bikes, are motor-assisted pedal cycles that look similar to conventional bicycles.

With a rechargeable battery and a motor to provide support when pedalling, electric bikes offer riders the ability to travel faster than a traditional bicycle without requiring the same level of physical exertion.

Under current law in England, Scotland and Wales, electric bikes that meet certain criteria may be used by people 14 years or older without needing a licence or insurance; however, different rules apply in Northern Ireland.

To meet the criteria, e-bikes must be classed as ‘electrically assisted pedal cycles’ (EAPCs). Any electric bike that does not meet the EAPC rules is classed as a motorcycle or moped and needs to be registered and taxed. You’ll need a driving licence to ride one and you must wear a crash helmet.

Nottinghamshire Fire Service have issued certain rules and guides on how to use e-bikes in terms of charging and general use. The Lithium-ion batteries used inside these e-bikes are a great beast and can cause serious damage if not used correctly.

Charging Your E-Bike

To reduce the risk of fires related to e-bikes at home, always exercise caution when charging batteries. Never attempt to modify or tamper with the battery. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Avoid leaving the e-bike to charge for too long periods of time or unattended, such as overnight or whilst out of the house.

Reduce the Risk of Overheating

Batteries can become warm during use, so allow them to cool before attempting to recharge. To ensure that heat can dissipate properly, batteries should only be charged on hard, flat surfaces away from flammable items such as furniture, carpets or curtains. Take care to avoid exposing batteries to extremes of temperature or charging them if they’ve become damaged. Overcharging can also lead to the battery overheating, so please keep it away from flammable materials and always keep an eye on the e-bike whilst charging.

Follow Instructions Carefully

When charging, always adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions and never leave a battery charging unattended or charge it while you are sleeping. When it’s fully charged, unplug your charger right away. Always use the correct charger for your batteries – buy replacements from reputable sellers only.

Where To Charge Your E-bike

Be mindful not to block your escape route with e-bikes when storing them; store them in an area away from paths or exits.

Prepare an escape plan with your family in case of a fire – if one does start, dial 999 immediately instead of trying to tackle it yourself.

Nottingham Lithium-ion battery fire

Three children seriously injured in Nottingham house fire caused by Lithium-ion battery

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Three children were seriously injured after a house fire in Nottingham, with one suffering from severe burns. Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue has issued a statement after the incident on Monday, July 10.

Firefighters were called to the blaze shortly after 5:40pm at a property on Longford Crescent in Bulwell. Fire crews from Stockhill, Arnold and Hucknall all attended the fire.

Three children were rescued from the house by a neighbour. One of these children was left with severe burns. They were all taken to hospital by ambulance, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue said.

The fire was found to have been caused by a fault in a large Lithium-ion battery. This exploded; as many Lithium-ion battery fires do; and caused severe burn injuries to one of the children.

Beth Hayman, Fire Investigation Officer, said: “We would like to wish a speedy recovery to those injured and affected in the incident earlier this week.”

“Lithium-ion batteries can be found in everyday technology and household items such as laptops, mobile phones, e-cigarettes, e-scooters and DIY tools. If not handled and cared for correctly, can become extremely dangerous and behave in a volatile manner causing catastrophic damage and injuries.”

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service will be visiting residents around Longford Cresent on Monday, July 17 to reassure residents and offer free Safe and Well visits to check smoke alarms.

Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere but how are they dangerous and what causes them to start fires? Most of the time Lithium-ion batteries are safe and will never start a fire with safe and sensible usage, but when they are used with little care, this is when they can be a danger. Here at Fireology, we stress the importance of proper use of these batteries and devices with them inside.

Lithium-ion battery fire nottingham

Warning sent after faulty laptop causes home destroying fire in Nottingham

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A fire investigation into a Nottingham house fire finds that the cause was a faulty laptop. This laptop was found to have suffered a lithium-ion battery failure after being left on charge overnight. The fire that it started destroyed the home of a family of four.

Around 3:35am on June 26, the fire service was called to a house on The Crescent in Woodthorpe, Nottingham.

The smoke alarms inside the house sounded meaning the family of four had a chance to escape in time. Had the fire alarms not been installed or working, the consequences could have been devastating.

Beth Hayman, Fire Investigation Officer, said: “This is a very devastating incident in which a family lost their house and belongings.”

“I urge everyone not to continuously charge electrical devices and to ensure they are switched off at the wall socket overnight. When charging devices ensure they are charged using the manufactured product from the device provider.”

“Fortunately, due to the working smoke alarms within the property, the family managed to escape to safety. Make sure you test your alarms regularly as they save lives.”

Cases like this one emphasise the dangers of lithium-ion batteries. This simple failure could happen to anyone. Please avoid leaving electrical devices overnight or for an excessive period of time. To find out more, check out our blog on lithium-ion battery fires and the dangers of overcharging them by clicking HERE.

Lithium-ion batteries fire in Cannock

Firefighters investigating the cause of Cannock fire

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Locals are given a reminder of the dangers when disposing of household waste, after a significant fire at the recycling centre in Cannock.

An investigation was launched into the cause of the fire, at the premises in Leacroft Lane was launched last Friday. Six crews attended the fire, which started just before 2pm on the day prior. Locals were advised to close all windows and doors for a significant amount of time through the afternoon.

The crews from, Cannock, Rugeley, Stafford, Lichfield and Penkridge were on site until 6:15pm when damping down began.

Cannock station manager Russ Brown, the incident commander at the scene, said: “I would like to thank the centre staff for their assistance in helping us to tackle the fire and establish some successful tactics to extinguish the blaze.”

“Without their swift actions, we could have seen the incident escalate.”

He said he would like to remind residents and businesses to ensure that they are safely disposing of their waste, particularly any Lithium-ion batteries which are often used in electronic devices. They should ensure they are stored in cool areas. As well as making sure nothing is covering them or blocking their extractors from working.

When disposing of Lithium-ion batteries, the correct action must be taken to minimise risks. To find out the practice to follow, find out in our blog post on Lithium-ion batteries HERE.

Derbion Car Fire

Derbion evacuated after a car fire in the underground car park

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The Derbion shopping centre was evacuated this morning after a suspected car fire in the underground car park. Derbyshire Police and Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service were on site and the entrance was taped off.

Two fire engines and three police cars were parked at the entrance to the car park, in an attempt to keep the public away from the blaze. Eyewitnesses reported that smoke was drawn through the shopping centre at around 11 am Saturday morning.

Footage seen by Derbyshire Live showed hundreds of shoppers making their way to the exits after fire alarms went off inside Derbion.

Someone who was there at the time said: “It was just crazy, people running out of the car park screaming ‘a car is on fire’. I was about to park my car and heard a massive bang! So I got out as fast as I could.”

“Big flames” were seen in the underground car park. Someone who saw the fire said they couldn’t tell what car was on fire, they just saw flames and smoke.

Most people own cars in the UK. They are usually very safe, but things like this can occur. People underestimate the danger of such events. What would you do if your car set on fire?

A small fire extinguisher is the perfect solution for your car. These extinguishers are smaller models, specifically designed for locations such as cars. These can be used in the event of a fire to stop a small flame from turning into a massive blaze. Firexo’s small fire extinguishers can be used to tackle a small flame before it escalates into something massive.