Pensioner dies after e-scooter inferno engulfs home in Manchester

A pensioner in his 70s has died and another was seriously burned in a devastating house fire in south Manchester, which is believed to have involved an e-scooter.

The blaze broke out at a house on Ellesmere Road South in Chorlton in the early hours of this morning.

The fire service said they received multiple 999 calls just after 3am as smoke began billowing from the semi-detached house.

Four fire engines raced to the scene where they said they were met by a ‘a significant, well-developed fire that had spread through the ground and first floors of the house’.

Pictures from the scene showed bright orange flames visible through the windows as smoke billowed across the area.

A pensioner in his 70s has died and another was seriously burned in a devastating house fire in south Manchester, which is believed to have involved an e-scooter

Four fire engines raced to the scene where they said they were met by a ‘a significant, well-developed fire that had spread through the ground and first floors of the house’

A man in his 30s had managed to rescue himself from the property before they arrived, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said.

Firefighters donned breathing apparatus and searched the property as their colleagues used a number of hose reels to try and bring the fire under control. Sadly the body a man in his seventies was discovered inside.

The man in his 30s was treated by both firefighters and paramedics before being taken to Wythenshawe Hospital. Crews spent several hours battling the flames until it was finally extinguished around 7am.

An investigation into the fire is now underway. Officers in white forensic suits could be seen working both inside and outside the property today.

Fire chiefs they are not yet able to determine the exact cause of the blaze, but a statement from GMFRS said it is ‘believed to have involved an e-scooter’.

A neighbour said she was woken by a man running up and down the street shouting. The woman said: ‘We get quite a lot of burglaries round here and people coming down here drunk who’ve been drinking in Chorlton. We thought someone had been stabbed or maybe a burglar had got injured or caught in someone’s garden’

‘We were woken up by someone running up and down the road shouting ‘ah, ah.’ We were worried in case it was a riot – we didn’t want to turn the light on to alert them to our house

‘We didn’t realise what was happening until we saw the blue lights We were watching horrified wondering if it would go to the next house’

Fire chiefs they are not yet able to determine the exact cause of the blaze, but a statement from GMFRS said it is ‘believed to have involved an e-scooter’

Back in February important guidance on e-bike and e-scooter safety was released by the Government following a spate of horrific fires.

The information covers battery safety as well as how to safely store and charge an e-bike or e-scooter.

It also advises to only buy an e-cycle or scooter from a reputable seller and includes guidance on how to properly dispose of batteries.

Ben Levy, GMFRS Area Manager, said: ‘First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who has very sadly died during this devastating incident.

‘Crews remain in attendance on Ellesmere Road South and are there for anyone in the community affected by the fire and to provide reassurance.

‘I would like to commend the firefighters who did all they could in very difficult conditions in an attempt to save lives and stop the fire spreading further. They worked tirelessly to minimize the impact of this fire for surrounding residents. At this stage we cannot confirm the exact cause of the fire’

A spokesperson for GMP said: ‘At around 3am this morning (2 August) we were called to reports of a fire at a property on Ellesmere Road South in South Manchester. Alongside Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service the fire was extinguished and subsequently made safe.

‘Sadly, despite the best attempts of emergency services at the scene, a man in his 70s passed away. Another man inside the house suffered serious burns that are thankfully not life-threatening.

‘An investigation is underway by our detectives and fire personnel to determine the full circumstances, but there are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call 101 quoting incident 372 of 02/08/2024.’