Advice issued after faulty charger causes house fire

We’re urging people across Staffordshire to make sure they aren’t using faulty or counterfeit chargers after one melted and caused a house fire in Stoke-on-Trent.

Crews were sent to Dividy Road in Bentilee at about 3.40am on Tuesday (26 November) when someone woke up in their house to the smell of burning.

Firefighters went inside and found a faulty charging cable that had melted onto a curtain inside.

The fire was out when we got there and no-one was injured.

Station Manager Ben Woodward said: “Faulty electrics and overheated sockets cause around 7,000 house fires nationally every single year. Understanding what you can do to limit the risks in your household are vital to making sure less accidental fires happen in Staffordshire.

“We appreciate it can be difficult, especially in the lead-up to Christmas, but we’re urging people not to be tempted to buy counterfeit or cheap chargers. They aren’t very safe and pose a fire safety risk, especially when they’re left on overnight and for long periods of time.

“It’s best practice to switch off plug sockets overnight and not to use high-powered devices like washing machines unattended.

“By following the right guidance, we can all help to limit the number of accidental house fires in Staffordshire and to keep our communities as safe as possible.”

For more specific advice on how to make sure the electrics in your home are safe, visit our website here: Electrical safety