A house fire in Bootle, Merseyside, that killed a mother and three of her children was caused by a lithium-ion battery, according to the fire service.
BBC News identified the victims as Elisha Brabin, 36, and three of her children, who died in the blaze at their home.
The Independent described Brabin as a 'devoted' mother, according to its report, though other outlets did not include this characterization.
Multiple outlets, including Sky News, BBC News and BBC Sport, confirmed that investigators attributed the cause of the fire to a lithium-ion battery.
How each side covered it
Left
- The Independent described the mother as 'devoted' in its coverage of the fire.
- The Independent reported that fire service investigators identified the cause of the blaze.
“Fire service identifies cause of Merseyside blaze that killed 'devoted' mother and three children” — The Independent
Center
- Sky News, BBC News and BBC Sport all reported that a lithium-ion battery caused the fire.
- BBC News identified the victims as Elisha Brabin, 36, and three of her children.
- Center outlets focused primarily on the cause determination rather than personal details about the family.
“Fire that killed mum and 3 children caused by lithium-ion battery” — BBC News
Questions readers ask
What caused the fatal house fire in Merseyside?
Fire service investigators determined the blaze was caused by a lithium-ion battery, according to reports from Sky News, BBC News and BBC Sport.
Who died in the Bootle house fire?
Elisha Brabin, 36, and three of her children died in the fire at their home in Bootle, Merseyside, according to BBC News.
Where did the fire happen?
The fire occurred at a home in Bootle, Merseyside, according to multiple reports.
Did outlets differ in how they described the mother?
The Independent referred to her as a 'devoted' mother, a characterization not included in reports from center-leaning outlets.
Sources · 5 outlet reports
- The IndependentLeft-leaningFire service identifies cause of Merseyside blaze that killed 'devoted' mother and three children
- BBC NewsCenterLithium-ion battery fire killed Bootle mum and three children
- BBC SportCenterLithium-ion battery caused fire that killed mum and 3 children
- Sky NewsCenterLithium-ion battery caused house fire that killed mother and three children in Merseyside
- The TelegraphRight-leaningFire that killed mother and three children started by lithium-ion battery