Surveillance cameras captured the moment a man’s e-cigarette allegedly exploded inside his pocket while standing in line at a Kentucky gas station.
The incident took place at a Shell gas station in Owensboro, Kentucky this past Saturday. Local resident Josh Hamilton had approached the counter to pay for his purchase when his pants suddenly burst into flames.
Still ablaze, Hamilton rushes outside the store, trying to remove his now-burning pants. Eventually, a store employee with a fire extinguisher helps douse the blaze, while other nearby store patrons rush to assist Hamilton.
According to local media outlet WFIE News, Hamilton suffered third degree burns as a result of the explosion. He was taken to an area hospital by one of the store patrons who first rushed to his assistance.
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He says a spare battery for his e-cigarette, which was in that pocket, was to blame for the fire. Police are still investigating to determine the cause of the fire.
While explosions or fires from e-cigarettes are extremely rare they are not unheard of.
A report from the U.S. fire administration (USFA) found 25 separate incidents of explosion and fire involving e-cigarettes between 2009 and 2014, injuring nine people. Of those injuries two people suffered serious burns.
E-cigarettes have been touted as a less dangerous alternative for regular smokers trying to kick the habit. The battery-powered devices use a liquid to produce vapour, which is then inhaled. Some of the liquids are infused with nicotine, some aren’t.
-With files from Andrew Russell
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