FIREFIGHTERS in Taunton are warning people to be vigilant after an electronic children’s toy caused a fire in the town this week.

The blaze was caused by a self-balancing electronic scooter, commonly known as hoverboards.

Two crews from Taunton Fire Station were mobilised to the property and two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire and made the area safe.

A spokesperson for the county town's fire station said hoverboards have become extremely popular among children in recent years and there have been instances of the electric scooters hitting the headlines nationally and internationally for causing fires.

The spokesperson added: "The main causes of fires involving lithium ion batteries such as those used in hoverboards are the wrong charger being used, mechanical damage to the battery and a manufacturing defect.

"The lithium ion batteries used in hoverboards and other rechargeable items contain chemicals which are flammable.

"In the event of a short circuit or an over-charge situation, they can heat up very quickly and burst into flames.

"The resulting fire, although relatively small, can be very intense and will produce dense smoke."

Anyone planning to buy a hoverboard or other rechargeable electrical devices such as laptops, e-cigarettes and mobile phones is urged to:

make sure that it has a British or European safety mark on it and carries CE certification – all electrical equipment must comply with the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994;

only buy from a reputable retailer you know and trust – that way if something goes wrong you can contact the retailer or manufacturer to deal with any problems.

The spokesperson added that anyone with a hoverboard in their home should follow this safety advice:

never leave the hoverboard charging unattended;

do not charge a hoverboard when you go to bed;

never leave a hoverboard on charge for extended periods as the charging cut-off device can fail, causing the battery to overheat;

be careful where you charge the hoverboard - follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on charging and never charge it near soft furnishings or other combustibles. If possible, charge the hoverboard in a garage on a concrete floor.