Hoverboard' owners warned of fire risk when charging devices

Owners of self-balancing scooters have been warned not to leave them charging unattended after two caught fire.

London Fire Brigade said the incidents involving the popular so-called "hoverboards" took place within days of each other.

An electric uni-cycle was on charge in a flat in Southwark, south London, that caught fire on October 11.

A spokeswoman said that the occupant discovered the blaze after hearing a loud bang and was able to get out unhurt.

Just days earlier two men had escaped through a first floor window from a fire at a house in Morden, south London after a banging noise alerted them to a blaze in a room where a hoverboard had been charging.

The Brigade's fire investigation experts have sent the devices involved in both fires for further testing.

Last Thursday, BBC Watchdog raised concerns about the plugs being supplied with some hoverboards that did not appear to be a standard British plug.

Their investigation found the plugs did not have fuses and could be at risk of overheating, exploding and catching fire.

The cause of both fires is still under investigation whilst the devices are tested at our lab, but as both incidents involved personal transporters that were charging at the time of the fire, we'd urge people to especially keep an eye on their devices whilst they are on charge.

– CHARLIE PUGSLEY, HEAD OF FIRE INVESTIGATION AT THE BRIGADE