ESSEX Firefighters are warning residents against buying second hand batteries after an e-scooter fire in Harlow in the night.

Crews were called to Little Brays, Harlow at 12:32am after the resident reported his e-scooter batteries had overheated while they were on charge on the kitchen.

The resident had thrown the scooter into the garden where the batteries then caught alight and exploded

Firefighters extinguished the fire by 12:54am.

Crew Manager Vincent Norton from Harlow Fire Station said: “Thankfully the resident was able to get the scooter outside as if it had exploded inside, it could have caused a devastating fire. The batteries overheating in the kitchen had already scorched the floor.

“We strongly recommend against buying second hand batteries as you don’t know if they are genuine and what condition they are in. Once a battery is damaged, they became highly unstable and can quickly overheat when on charge.

“Thankfully the resident was in the room with them while they were on charge and was able to notice when they had started to overheat.”