A dad has issued a stark warning after a Christmas current he purchased for his son on-line sparked a fireplace that destroyed their dwelling.
Andrew Beaton is urging others to be cautious when purchasing for electrical objects on-line through the festive season. He stated an e-bike “went off like a grenade” in his Lancaster, Lancashire, dwelling.
The 60-year-old beforehand stated it was solely as a result of his son went to get a drink within the night time that his, his spouse and his two youngsters’s lives had been saved. He moved the bike and escaped in simply his underwear and a pair of glasses.
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He stated: “An innocent purchase I bought online from a marketplace destroyed our home and left us with nothing. Like any parent I wanted to see my kids smile on Christmas day.”
(Image: PA)
“The e-bike was a Christmas gift for my son, something I thought he’d love but when it was charging overnight by the stairs it went off like a grenade.”
“Our stairs caught alight and my family were minutes from not making it out alive. Since the fire our home was so damaged we couldn’t live in it. We were left without our home for six months, only moving back in last week.”
Andrew estimated the injury to be within the area of £50,000.
“My children are still affected by the fire. The trauma of it doesn’t leave you when you’re faced with flames in the middle of the night like we were, nobody can understand what it’s like seeing your home go up in flames until it happens to them,” he added.
“This Christmas I am so grateful my family are alive and safe. I want to warn other people out there shopping online for Christmas gifts to be careful.”
Andrew is now attempting to warn folks of the risks {of electrical} objects.
“I thought what I was buying would be safe but it was a ticking time bomb. Stick to your reputable high street retailers if you can, nobody wants to end up buying a gift that risks the safety of your family,” he stated.
Electrical Safety First has issued a warning as customers are predicted to hurry for air fryers, hair dryers and video games consoles, adopted by good audio system, blenders, kettles and electrical grooming kits.
Some 10% plan to buy an e-bike, e-scooter or conversion package, however there are warnings about substandard variations inflicting lethal fires, with 9 deaths already reported this yr.
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