HAMPSHIRE Fire and Rescue Service is urging the public not to use fake, cheap or unbranded chargers after a serious house fire at the end of last month.

A fire started in the bedroom and was most likely caused by an unofficial phone charger.

The service issued the message as a timely reminder with Christmas well on the way and people buying electrical devices for their friends and family.

Unbranded chargers are cheap but many of them fail to meet UK safety regulations and can lead to electric shock, injury and cause fires.

Area manager Stew Adamson, Hampshire’s head of community safety, said: There has been an increase in the number of incidents being reported about faulty electrical goods, particularly fake, cheap and unbranded chargers.

"The chargers are usually ‘fake’ or faulty and being used with mobile phones, electric cigarettes or other similar devices but even ‘real’ chargers pose risks if they are not used correctly or for the device for which they are intended."

A spokesman for Hampshire County Council Trading Standards said: “The message is do not buy cheap or unbranded chargers for use with e-cigarettes, mobile phones or any other devices.

“They may be dangerous and illegal. At the least, they are capable of destroying your device.

“At worst, they have the potential to give a fatal electric shock or cause a very serious house fire.

“Our officers often see large quantities of unsafe chargers as part of their work at ports. This is a widespread problem, with many being sold through internet sellers.

“Always make sure that the rated output of your charger is matched to the product you are charging.”

The fire in Waterlooville, near Portsmouth, severely damaged an end of terrace house. Around 20 firefighters attended but fortunately no one was hurt.