A mother heroically rescued her partner from a fire after a lithium battery explosion destroyed their flat in Barking, London. Joanne Davis, 45, and her partner Ken, 46, were in their flat when they heard a loud bang coming from Ken’s room in the early hours of October 3. When Joanne opened the door, she found flames engulfing the room with Ken shouting for help. She managed to pull him to safety as the fire spread rapidly.
The couple lost everything in the fire, including their possessions and their beloved cats, Toby and Tilly. Ken suffered 7% burns and damage to his chest and lungs from inhaling toxic fumes. The London Fire Brigade believes the explosion was caused by a lithium battery failure, which Ken was using to heat a hot tub on the roof terrace.
Joanne’s son, Lewis Pearson, set up a GoFundMe page to help his mother and stepfather rebuild their lives after the devastating incident. Joanne expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming support they have received and shared the trauma of the night of the explosion, which changed their lives in just minutes.
Ken remains in the hospital with severe injuries, including burns to his face and arms, chest wall damage, and collapsed lungs. Joanne is currently arranging emergency accommodation with the local council and visiting Ken daily in the hospital. Despite the challenges they face, Lewis emphasised the importance of taking precautions with lithium batteries to prevent such incidents in the future.
The landlord of the property, B&D Reside, extended their support to the affected residents and emphasised the need for precautions with lithium batteries. Joanne expressed the deep loss of their home, which was their safe haven, and described Ken as her best friend and soulmate. The couple’s close bond and the memories they shared in their home make the recovery process even more difficult for Joanne.
To support Joanne and Ken in rebuilding their lives, donations can be made to Lewis’s GoFundMe page. The community’s generosity and kindness have provided a glimmer of hope for the couple amidst the devastation they have experienced.