Fire crews from St Mary’s and Redbridge were called to a bedroom fire on Denzil Avenue in Southampton, Hampshire, on 26 February 2026 after a mobile phone left charging on a bed caught light. The incident happened just before 08:45 in a first-floor bedroom, where firefighters used water jets to stop the fire from spreading through the rest of the property.
The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service explained that charging electronic devices on soft surfaces like beds, sofas, or pillows is dangerous because it traps heat. This heat build-up can cause batteries to fail and start a fire, so residents are being told to always use flat, hard surfaces instead.
Safety experts are also advising people to only use chargers that come from the original manufacturer or reputable UK shops to ensure they meet safety standards. Using cheaper or unofficial chargers can increase the risk of an electrical fault or a fire starting in the home.
This warning comes as local figures show that Southampton had 24 battery-related fires in the 12 months leading up to March 2025. The fire service is reminding everyone to test their smoke alarms regularly and make sure there is a working alarm on every level of their home to stay safe.
