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>> Steve: Hi, I'm Steve Underhill. The footage you're about to see is based on a real incident
that was attended by Dorset Fire and Rescue Service. The incident involved a mobility scooter
that was on charge in the passageway of a block of flats. The battery compartment developed a fault,
which meant the scooter caught fire. We have recreated this incident to show how quickly a fire
of this nature can block someone's escape route.
A mobility scooter is ignited, simulating a fault within the charger.
A small fire can be seen where the battery is located.
After approximately two minutes, enough smoke is given off to operate the smoke
detector in the passageway.
The flames can now been seen breaking through the chassis area.
By now people are starting to wake up to the sound of the smoke alarms.
Hopefully at this point some people are beginning to get dressed.
By now there is already too much flame and smoke in the passageway for people to escape past.
The toxic smoke being produced is enough to render any person unconscious at this stage.
Anyone in the passageway now is unlikely to survive.
The thick, black smoke would completely fill the escape route.
After approximately two minuets (from the alarm sounding) the heat and smoke layer
would be at floor level.
As you can see now, the fire is in need of oxygen to continue burning.
Just a small amount of the smoke being produced would contain lethal levels of
toxic gasses. Such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen chloride.
From this...
...to this.
Thankfully, nobody was injured in this fire. Dorset Fire and Rescue Service recommends that mobility
scooters are not stored in passageways of blocks of flats. They should have a dedicated charging point
within a room of 30 minute fire resisting construction. The smoke detection should be
extended to cover this room. Ideally the mobility scooter should be charged in a secure area away
from the building. Further information and advice is available online.