October 11th 2024.
Joanne Davis was faced with a devastating tragedy when her partner Ken was severely injured and their beloved cats, Toby and Tilly, tragically lost their lives in a fire that broke out in their home. The incident occurred on the night of October 3rd, when Joanne was getting ready for bed in their flat in Barking, east London. Suddenly, a loud bang from the next room where Ken was sleeping startled her awake.
As Joanne opened the door, she was met with a terrifying sight - sparks flying out of a device and flames rapidly spreading. She immediately heard Ken's panicked cries for help and knew she had to act quickly. With immense bravery, she managed to pull Ken to safety and call for emergency services. The fire was so severe that it took the efforts of 60 firefighters to evacuate all 50 residents in the building.
The London Fire Brigade has since stated that the fire was accidental, caused by the failure of a lithium battery. Unfortunately, Ken sustained serious injuries including burns to his face and arms, a partially collapsed lung, and damage to his chest cavity. He is currently receiving treatment in the hospital. Tragically, the couple's two cats, who they considered their best friends, did not make it out of the fire and all their possessions were destroyed.
Joanne and her son, who is raising funds to help her during this difficult time, are still reeling from the aftermath of the fire. Joanne tearfully shared, "It all happened in minutes - from the noise and the piercing screams of Ken, screaming for me to save him because he thought he was going to die - in 10 minutes, everything changed our home forever. Our cats have been lost and we will never get over this. Right now, I am existing. I feel numb, empty and just lost without Ken."
Upon investigation, it was discovered that Ken had purchased a heating implement for a homemade hot tub on their roof terrace, which was powered by the lithium battery that ultimately caused the fire. The London Fire Brigade has highlighted the dangers of lithium batteries, which are commonly used in e-bikes and e-scooters. In fact, they have deemed them as the fastest-growing fire risk in London.
This warning comes after a series of incidents where lithium batteries have exploded, resulting in three deaths and 60 injuries last year. Many of these explosions were linked to a specific product, the UPP Battery, which was manufactured in China. As a result, the Office for Product Safety and Standards has taken action against the manufacturer and various online marketplaces that were selling the battery in the UK.
While lithium batteries are generally considered safe, fire authorities caution that they can pose a risk when over-charged, short-circuited, submerged in water, or damaged. Joanne and Ken's devastating experience serves as a reminder for everyone to handle these batteries with caution and care. Our hearts go out to Joanne and Ken as they try to pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives after losing everything in the fire.
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