A 13-year-old boy has died from injuries sustained in a house fire in Blackpool, which authorities suspect was caused by an exploding e-bike charger. The boy, identified as Coby Keogh, was taken to the hospital with serious injuries on June 30 after emergency services responded to reports of a property fire on Redcar Road.
Lancashire Police stated that the 19-year-old man injured in the blaze, Joey Gregory, remains in serious condition. His mother, Sally Gregory, shared updates on Facebook detailing his fight for life, describing the initial 24-48 hours as critical and later extending to 72 hours. She expressed gratitude for the support of family and friends and requested continued prayers for her son.
Emergency services were called to Redcar Road at approximately 9:37 a.m. on June 30. Fire crews arrived at the scene within four minutes. Five fire engines and a command support unit were dispatched to combat the fire, utilizing breathing apparatus, hose reels, and a jet.
Three other individuals inside the residence sustained minor injuries. Police are conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire in conjunction with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service. At this stage, officers have reported no evidence of third-party involvement.
Joey Gregory's father, Harry Gregory, also posted on Facebook, confirming his son's involvement in the fire and his critical condition. He urged people to say prayers for his son and the other young lad involved and advised parents to cherish time with their children. A GoFundMe page established for Joey Gregory and his family has raised over £10,000.
Police have released advice and information regarding the safe charging of e-bikes, which can be found at https://orlo.uk/lcs4U. Authorities are asking anyone with information regarding the incident to contact them on 101, referencing log 0451 of June 30.