Before-and-after pictures show bedroom gutted by blaze sparked by smartphone left charging overnight
Shocking images show how a family bedroom was completely destroyed when a smartphone overheated
THIS was the shocking damage to a family bedroom after a smartphone charger fire in North Wales.
Startling images show the devastating effect to the bed and walls after the blaze in Criccieth.
The devastated family wanted to raise awareness about the dangers of phones overheating after the fire gutted their home. They asked the fire service to share the images on Twitter.
Jennie Griffiths, Head of Joint Fire Control for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: "In your hands one moment...........in ours the next!
"Please don't leave chargers switched on overnight or unattended."
Firefighters tackled the blaze at a property in Morfa Bychan at 7.48pm on Tuesday.
The cause of the fire has been established as an overheated battery in a mobile phone which resulted in the bedroom being completely destroyed by fire and smoke and severe smoke damage to the rest of the first floor.
There was also smoke damage to the ground floor.
Stuart Millington, senior fire safety manager, said: “This incident highlights how quickly a fire can spread. Our advice is that you only ever purchase chargers from a reputable source.
"Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and guidance, turn chargers off and unplug them before you go to bed and never leave items on charge or unattended for long periods.
“You should always charge your phone on a hard surface.
"Do not charge it on bedding or any combustible surface.
“Smoke alarms give an early warning of a fire and allow you to escape from the property and call the fire and rescue service. Make sure you have a working smoke alarm installed in your property and test it weekly.”
This is not the first time an over-heated smartphone has caused devastation.
A Jeep went up in flames after its owner left his Note 7 charging on the dashboard.
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The company urged customers in September to completely stop using the £700 mobiles as stories emerged of the gadgets going up in flames, while several airlines have also banned the phone on flights over safety fears.
Passengers and crew were evacuated from a plane on October 6 after a Samsung gadget overheated and caught fire.
A total of 75 passengers and crew were led off Southwest Airlines flight 944 as it was preparing to fly from Louisville to Baltimore.
Five days later Samsung suspended all production of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone, halted sales worldwide and told customers to stop using them.
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