On Back to the Future Day, London Fire Brigade is warning people of blazes caused by hoverboards charging unattended.
Today: Rail passengers to arrive at work 50 years early as 'computer glitch' takes them back to the future
In 1989’s Back to the Future II, Doc Brown and Marty McFly travelled to the ‘future’, October 21, 2015, where they find people travelling by hoverboard.
The film’s prediction was not far from the truth given the recent rise in popularity of self-balancing scooters, which has seen a spate of incidents in which the devices have burst into flames while recharging.
October 8: Cat dies in Morden house fire but fish are rescued
Two men had escaped out of a first floor window from a fire at a house in London Road, Morden, after a 'banging' noise alerted them to a fire in a room where a hoverboard had been charging.
The fire killed a cat and saw a tank of fish rescued from the home just before 10am.
Although the cause of the fire is being investigated, officers are warning people to be aware of faulty products charging and the fire risk they can pose.
Fire investigation experts have sent the hoverboard for further testing.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here