E-Cigarette Kills Man After ‘Exploding Into Flames’

An e-cigarette exploded in a man’s face who was using oxygen equipment, according to fire chiefs in the Wallasey, Merseyside area (UK).

The resulting ignition claimed the life of the unnamed 62-year-old, noted the Independent, who was found dead in the living room of the property at Penkett Road.

While the exact cause of death hasn’t been established, a fire investigation conducted by the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) found an e-cigarette had been charging in the bedroom when it “exploded, caught fire and ignited the oxygen tube of an oxygen concentrator, which may have been in use by the occupier,” the news site stated.

More from the report:

There was a small amount of smoke damage to the property, though the small fire in the bedroom had been extinguished by the time firefighters arrived.

An inquest will be held to determine the cause of the man’s death.

It is the ninth fire involving e-cigarettes on Merseyside alone since the turn of the year, MFRS said. It has launched a campaign to give help and advice on smoke alarms and the use of the devices and their chargers.

Myles Platt, a MFRS area manager, had this to say: “The investigation into the cause of this fire is continuing but at this stage it is thought that the charging device being used at the time may not have been the one supplied with the e-cigarette.

“We urge people to always use electrical equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and guidance, always ensure that no electrical items are left charging overnight or left unattended for a long period when being charged and do not mix parts from different e-cigarettes…. Only use the original charger or electrical cables supplied and ensure you purchase electrical items from a reputable source.”

Platt said the department understands “the impact tragic incidents such as these can have on families and the wider community,” adding that “Firefighters will be carrying out community reassurance visits and highlighting home fire safety in the area.”

In case you want to rib your UK friends over not knowing basic rules for e-cigarette safety, don’t get ahead of yourself. In 2013, The Inquisitr reported on an Atlanta woman, whose house could have been destroyed when an e-cigarette she purchased exploded while charging.

Thankfully in that case, she was home with no oxygen equipment running and was able to extinguish the flame before it got out of control.

Do you think that an e-cigarette is as dangerous as the real deal? Should there be more laws/warning labels governing them?

[Image via ShutterStock]