A man was taken to hospital with what are believed to be serious burns to his face after a fire inside a flat. Emergency services raced to the Tonge Moor area of Bolton late on Wednesday night.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said a settee caught alight inside a flat on Connaught Square. The man, thought to be aged in his 40s, was rushed to hospital by paramedics.
The fire service said the casualty had suffered burns to his face. A spokesman for GMFRS said the cause of fire at around 11.30pm on Wednesday was being investigated, but confirmed lithium-ion batteries are thought to have been involved.
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Lithium-ion batteries - also called LIBs - are lightweight, rechargeable batteries used to power phones, laptops and cameras. They are found in many common electrical devices including e-cigarettes.
But fire safety guidance states batteries can present a risk when over-charged, short-circuited, submerged in water, or if they are damaged. Fire services warn devices shouldn't be left continuously on charge after the charge cycle is complete.
Firefighters gave the man first aid at the scene before paramedics attended, and entered the flat in breathing apparatus. Crews remained at the scene for almost two hours.
In a statement, a Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "At 11.30pm on Wednesday 6 July, firefighters were called out to a fire at a flat on Connaught Square, Bolton. Four fire engines from Bolton Central, Bolton North and Farnworth attended the scene where a couch was on fire.
"Crews used four breathing apparatus and two hose reel to extinguish the fire. First aid was administered by firefighters to one casualty suffering from burns to the face before they were taken to Royal Bolton Hospital by ambulance. Crews were in attendance for one hour and 45 minutes."
No further details have been provided.
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