Dog dies in fire 'likely caused by mobile phone'

Firefighters said the fire started in the living room of the property

A dog has died in a house fire believed to have been caused by a damaged or overheated mobile phone.

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service (DFRS) was called to a property in Flamstead Avenue in Loscoe, near Heanor, on Sunday afternoon.

Fire crews entered the house and rescued two dogs, but one was later confirmed to have died.

An investigation showed the fire started in the living room and was "most likely" ignited by a lithium phone battery, DFRS said.

Fire service watch manager Steve Eaton said: "This was a significant fire which caused extensive damage to the property and shows how devastating fires involving lithium batteries, like those in mobile phones, can be.

"These batteries are safe during normal use, but present a fire risk when over-charged, short-circuited, submerged in water or damaged."

He urged people to check safety advice for the use of lithium batteries.