A devastating house fire in Bootle, Merseyside, that claimed the lives of a mother and her three children has been traced to a lithium-ion battery, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed.
The fatal blaze broke out at a property on Stone Square in Bootle during the early hours of Tuesday, September 22, 2026, prompting a major emergency response involving firefighters, police and ambulance crews.
The incident has continued to receive attention in Bootle and across Merseyside as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths and highlight the dangers associated with lithium-ion batteries.
What Happened in the Bootle Fire?
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said its control room received a 999 call at approximately 3:38 a.m., with firefighters arriving at the Stone Square property around 3:45 a.m.
Crews found a semi-detached house well alight. At the height of the response, six fire engines were at the scene.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the property to search for occupants while tackling the blaze with hose-reel jets. North West Ambulance Service also attended, including members of its Hazardous Area Response Team.
A fifth person was taken to hospital with burns.
Four People Died in the Fire
Firefighters searching the property discovered a woman and three children in an upstairs bedroom. They were showing no signs of life, and North West Ambulance Service personnel subsequently confirmed that all four had died.
The victims were later identified as Elisha Brabin, 36, and her children Leo, 16, Ellis, 8, and Prudence, 7.
The deaths have left the family and wider community facing an immense loss.
In a family tribute, relatives described Elisha as a devoted mother whose children were central to her life. They also remembered the three children with affection, describing the memories they created together as something the family would continue to treasure.
Investigators Determine Cause of Bootle Blaze
An investigation by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service’s Incident Investigation Team, together with Merseyside Police, determined that the fire was caused by an electrical event involving a lithium-ion battery.
The battery entered what firefighters describe as thermal runaway, a dangerous process in which a battery generates more heat than it can safely release, causing temperatures to rise rapidly and potentially resulting in fire.
The fire service later confirmed that the battery was associated with an e-scooter and was believed to have been charging when the fire began. The battery was not inside the scooter at the time.
Fire Service Issues Lithium-Ion Battery Warning
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service used the investigation to warn residents about the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries.
The service said that between April 2023 and August 2026, Merseyside recorded 150 fires linked to items containing lithium-ion batteries. Sixty-seven of those fires occurred in homes, while five fatalities during that period were linked to lithium-ion batteries.
Residents have been advised to use only batteries and chargers supplied with, or approved by, the relevant manufacturer.
The fire service also highlighted warning signs that a battery may be failing, including swelling, unusual sounds, strong smells, failure to charge or smoke. Anyone noticing such signs should stop using the battery immediately.
Bootle Fire: Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Stone Square, Bootle, Merseyside |
| Date | September 22, 2026 |
| Emergency call | About 3:38 a.m. |
| Firefighters arrived | About 3:45 a.m. |
| Fire engines | Six at the height of the response |
| Fatalities | Four |
| Victims | Elisha Brabin and her three children |
| Additional casualty | One person treated for burns |
| Cause | Electrical event involving lithium-ion battery |
| Battery | E-scooter battery |
| Investigation | MFRS and Merseyside Police |
Community Left Mourning
The Stone Square fire has become one of the most tragic recent incidents in Bootle, with four members of the same family losing their lives.
The emergency response involved firefighters entering a heavily involved property in an effort to locate and assist those inside. MFRS later praised its fire-control staff and crews, as well as ambulance personnel who attended the scene.
The investigation has now established the source of the fire, while the tragedy has prompted renewed attention to the safe charging and storage of lithium-ion batteries.
Latest Bootle Fire Update
The latest confirmed information does not concern a new September 29 town-centre blaze. Instead, authorities have provided an important update on the fatal September 22 Stone Square house fire, confirming that an electrical event involving a lithium-ion e-scooter battery caused the fire.
Anyone searching for a “Bootle fire today” should therefore distinguish this confirmed September 22 tragedy from any separate incident that may be circulating online without official confirmation.
Disclaimer
This article has been updated using information released by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and current reporting. The September 22 Stone Square fire should not be confused with an independently unverified report of a new Bootle town-centre blaze on September 29, 2026. Further information about any separate incident should be confirmed through emergency services or other authoritative sources.