A safety notice has been circulated to Lincolnshire locals after a devastating fire in Gainsborough reportedly caused by an exploding vape left three houses uninhabitable last Friday. Preliminary findings from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue suggest the device may have overheated and exploded. Area Manager for Prevention and Protection, Dan Moss, has urged the public to take precautions when charging vapes such as utilising only the manufacturer’s charger, disconnecting them once fully charged, not leaving them unattended, and discontinuing use at any signs of battery swelling or damage.
According to eye-witness accounts given to BBC Radio Lincolnshire, the vape in question was being charged on a bed before it ignited in a house located on Grey Street. The fire quickly spread to the roof space, causing severe damage to three houses and smoke damage to a fourth.
Fire teams from Lincolnshire, Humberside, and Nottinghamshire were called to manage the situation. Sheila Simmons, a resident of one of the impacted properties, detailed the extent of the damage, with roofs collapsing and residents losing their possessions. Highlighting the incident as a stark reminder of the importance of safe charging practices for electrical items, Mr Moss was grateful to report there were no casualties despite the significant damage, illustrating the unexpected dangers posed by seemingly innocuous vapes.
Adding to the warnings, Andy Wright, the Principal Trading Standards Officer of Lincolnshire County Council, cautioned that vape-related fires often involve inexpensive, unauthorised merchandise missing critical safety features. He stressed the necessity of buying vapes and e-cigarettes from trustable retailers to ensure they adhere to safety standards.
The Lincoln Post adapted this report from an original news piece by www.bbc.com.
