Dawlish firefighters called out after hoverboard causes fire

Dawlish and Teignmouth firefighters were called out after an electric hoverboard caught fire while being charged in a local property at the end of last week.

The fire was out by the time Dawlish firefighters arrived, and everyone had safely evacuated.

The battery of the hoverboard caught fire whilst charging and had started burning the carpet.

A Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue spokesperson said: "The house had filled with smoke and the residents had switched the power off and got out.

"The owners were alerted by the smoke, not a smoke alarm. There was no alarm in the room that it was charging in.

"Luckily, in this instance the owners will only need a new carpet.

"Please remember, when charging powerful items like a hoverboard; charge them separately from a socket (not an extension or a multi-plug) and do not leave them unattended."