Firefighters have issued a warning about USB chargers after ‘flames’ came shooting from one in Penwortham.

Two fire crews from Penwortham were called to Townlea Close, off Blackthorn Drive on the morning of Halloween.

A man had left a USB charging unit on charge in the bedroom of a house.

Peter Blamire of South Ribble Fire Stations said: “The owner of the proeprty was in the bedroom at the time when he heard a noise from the unit.

“The chaging unit then shot flames out on two separate occasions to his disbelief.

“The flames and heat from the cells within the unit destroyed the charging unit and caused slight heat damage to a metal unit and plastic bag.

“It should be noted that the occupier was charging the unit with the correct leads at the time of the fire, however the public are advisd that there are several web sites available with information for the safe use, storage and charging capabilities of this type of equipment.”

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Firefighters were called at 7.56am and are continuing to investigate the cause of the fire.

They said the property had smoke detectors and these triggered upon the flames leaping from the USB charger.