A second teenager has died following a house fire in Blackpool that is thought to have been ignited by an exploding e-bike charger. Joey Gregory, 19, passed away on Thursday after sustaining severe brain injuries. His death comes days after 13-year-old Coby Keogh died from injuries suffered in the same fire.
The blaze broke out on June 30, and emergency services were alerted to the property on Redcar Road at 9:37 a.m. Fire crews arrived at the scene within four minutes. An air ambulance was also deployed to transport Coby Keogh to the hospital, where he died on Sunday, July 5.
Joey Gregory's parents announced his passing on Thursday, stating that his brain injuries were too catastrophic for him to survive. His mother, Sally, shared that Joey had opted into organ donation two years prior and that his organs, including kidneys, liver, pancreas, and heart, were donated to four recipients. She described her son as a hero whose final act might save other lives, easing the family's pain.
Three other individuals in the house sustained minor injuries. Lancashire Police and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service have been investigating the incident and have stated there is no evidence of third-party involvement. Authorities believe the fire originated from an e-bike.
A GoFundMe page established for Joey Gregory's family has raised over £11,500. His mother expressed the profound impact of the loss, stating, "Life will never be the same."