Advice after exploding vape destroys three houses

A warning about vapes has been issued after a fire left three houses uninhabitable.

An exploding vape caused the fire in Gainsborough on 20 June.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue said a preliminary investigation found the vape had exploded after it had overheated.

Dan Moss, the service's area manager for prevention and protection, said: "If you're using vapes or any device that needs charging, make sure you're using the manufacturer's charger, unplug it once it is fully charged, don't leave it overnight or unattended, and stop using it if the battery shows signs of swelling, overheating or damage."

Witnesses told BBC Radio Lincolnshire the vape was being charged on a bed and had burst into flames at the house in Grey Street.

The fire service said the blaze spread through the roof space, causing significant damage to three houses and smoke damage to a fourth.

Sheila Simmons, who lived in one of the affected houses, said the roof had "all collapsed in" and, "basically, all the families have lost everything".

Mr Moss said: "This incident in Gainsborough really serves to highlight why we advise residents to use and charge electricals safely.

"Fortunately, nobody has been injured in this case, but three houses have been made uninhabitable and another partially damaged, all from a single, seemingly innocuous, vape."

Andy Wright, principal trading standards officer at Lincolnshire County Council, said: "Vape-related house fires are often caused by cheap, counterfeit products such as chargers which can often lack important safety features.

"We cannot stress enough just how important it is to buy vapes and e-cigarettes which meet the necessary safety requirements from reputable retailers."

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