A mother from Essex has described the terrifying moment she thought she would burn to death after her vape device exploded without warning in her coat pocket.
A Terrifying Incident in a Stationary Car
Kerrie Roberts, 52, was sitting in her friend's car on October 19 last year when the rechargeable vape she had used for three years suddenly blew up. The device was in the pocket of her brand-new coat. She recounted the shock, saying it felt like a firework had gone off inside the vehicle. Flames immediately engulfed the car seat as the battery burnt through her pocket.
"At first I didn't know what it was," Ms Roberts said. "The battery continued to melt through the car as it was still hot. I jumped out of the car when I realised it was me that was on fire." Initially, both women feared the stationary vehicle itself was malfunctioning and about to be consumed by flames.
Severe Burns and a Long Road to Recovery
After leaping from the car, Ms Roberts rolled on the ground to extinguish the flames. She soon felt a burning pain in her leg, which her friend saw beginning to bubble and blister. Horrifying photos from the incident show large holes burnt into her new coat and dress, as well as part of the car seat, which cost £300 to replace.
Ms Roberts, who is the CEO of a homeless charity, rushed to The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow for treatment. Medical staff put her on an IV drip, popped the blisters, and bandaged her leg. While she thankfully does not need a skin graft, she must now keep the affected area completely out of the sun for two years and moisturise the wounds up to four times daily to ensure a full recovery.
A Stark Warning to Other Vapers
The experience has led Ms Roberts to issue a serious public safety warning. She had been vaping for a decade and believed the rechargeable model was the "safest option," avoiding disposable vapes. She has now quit entirely, using a resistance breather instead.
"I would tell people to not carry your vape in your pocket and not have it so close to you," she urged. She believes her thick, padded coat prevented even more serious injury, noting that having the device in a trouser pocket would have been "so much worse." She also warned against leaving vapes in car pockets near children.
Reflecting on the potential for greater tragedy, Ms Roberts revealed the same battery had been with her on a plane the week before. The incident highlights growing concerns as vaping overtakes smoking in Britain. Recent Office for National Statistics data shows 5.4 million adults now vape daily, compared to 4.9 million cigarette smokers.
