Kev Johnson said a house fire in Bootle that killed Elisha Brabin and her three children was caused by a lithium-ion battery. The blaze spread rapidly inside Stone Square in the early hours of 22 September, and six fire engines were at the scene at 03:45 BST.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said four people showing no signs of life were found in an upstairs bedroom. The dead were Elisha Brabin, 36, and her children Leo, 16, Ellis, eight, and Prudence, seven.
Stone Square in Bootle
Johnson said: "This tragedy highlights the very real risks posed by lithium-ion batteries, which we confirmed as the source of the fire." He also urged people to follow the manufacturer's instructions and use only batteries and chargers supplied with the vehicle or approved by the manufacturer.
In the same advice, Johnson said people should stop using a lithium-ion battery immediately if it is swelling, making unusual sounds, has a strong smell, is failing to charge, or is smoking. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said lithium-ion batteries are used in e-bikes and e-scooters.
Merseyside fire figures
The service said there had been 150 fires linked to lithium-ion batteries on Merseyside between April 2023 and August 2026, along with five fatalities. That toll puts the Bootle blaze inside a wider pattern the fire service has already been tracking across Merseyside.
Relatives described Brabin as a "devoted and loving mother who lived for her children" and said the family had been left "heartbroken". The fire service has not confirmed what the battery was being used for, leaving the focus on the battery failure itself and the warning signs it wants people to recognise before a battery is used again.
