Mum Says Faulty Toy Jeep Burst Into Flames And Started House Blaze

Mum Says Faulty Toy Jeep Burst Into Flames And Started House Blaze
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Firemen are investigating whether a five-year-old girl's toy jeep burst into flames and almost burnt down the family home.

Mum Denise Gilpin bought the battery-powered kids' car from Amazon as a surprise present for daughter Ella-Rose.

But a few days later the one-metre high toy suddenly caught fire in the early hours of the morning and engulfed a 15ft garden trampoline.

Denise, 38, and her four children, who live close to Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire, ran from their house at 3.30am on Friday after hearing fire alarms as the fire raged in the garden.

Mum-of-four Denise said: "We quickly evacuated outside of the house, and called the fire brigade.

"When they arrived, they couldn't believe how much of a lucky escape we had."

The £139.99 Rocket RS Sports Kids Ride-On-Jeep had been hidden by Ella-Rose under a trampoline which was destroyed along with a nearby pushchair, bike and football kit – causing £900 of damage.

Denise called Amazon's offices as soon as they opened at 6am and the firm offered a refund.

Denise said: "This jeep could have easily killed us. The kids could have been playing on the trampoline. They should be taken off the shelves."

The toy jeep's manufacturers claimed to have never encountered any problem with batteries busting into flames.

A Fun4Kids spokesman said: "To say I am a little surprised to hear this would be an understatement.

"I have never heard of a battery bursting into flames and in my eight years of selling toys I have never come across anything such as this.

"Nonetheless I would like to get to the bottom of the matter."

North Yorkshire fire department are investigating whether the fire was caused by an electrical fault in the car.