Vape users have been warned to use ‘proper chargers’ for their devices after a huge explosion damaged four terraced homes in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire and left three people in hospital
Three people have been rushed to hospital after a vape pen dramatically exploded and tore through four terraced houses.
Firefighters say three of the property have been left with “significant damage” after the blaze broke out at a home in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire at 1pm on Friday and spread through neighbouring properties. Relatives of those affected said the vape device was being charged on a bed when it started emitting smoke”. One of the occupants is then said to have taken the vape pen off charge, but device exploded seconds later, starting the fire. Three people required hospital treatment after the incident, but are not believed to have suffered life-threatening injuries.
Cherrie Hall, who raced to the house where the fire started, said she was “absolutely devastated” by the blaze – and described the moment she arrived at the scene after recieving a worried phonecall from her ex-partner.
The home belongs to the grandmother of Cherrie’s children, who were treated in hospital in the aftermath.
She said: “I had a phone call from my ex asking if we – me and my partner – could go check his mum’s house as he had messages from people mentioning a fire at his mum’s.
“So of course we drove straight round and saw all the fire engines and the firemen, roofs caved in.”
She added: “Luckily the paramedics were already at the house for a separate thing with grandma’s health when the vape exploded and set the house on fire.
“She’s absolutely devastated but is so in awe and amazed with the community and how much they’ve helped all families involved.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up to support the families affected by the fire. Kerry Shattell, who is running the fundraiser, said her son was next door to where the fire started – and says he is currently staying with his in-laws after his home was left uninhabitable.
Despite the damage, he, his partner and his four children are “safe”, she said, adding: “His dogs were taken to the vets because they had smoke inhalation. My son and his wife were not at home at the time of the fire.”
Helen Tooley, group manager at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, told the BBC that the fire had “gone through the roof spaces”, causing “quite significant damage to those three houses.”
There is also a “hole in the roof” in the fourth home, along with “extensive smoke damage.”
Warning people against using third-party chargers for their vape devices, she added: “If you are using vapes or any electronic equipment that needs charging, please use the proper chargers. Make sure it’s in a safe place. Unplug it if you’re not in the room.”