Shocking moment vape pen EXPLODES in a cloud of black smoke inside shopper’s handbag
The shopper initially thought that someone dropped something in her bag to cause the explosion
THIS is the shocking moment a dodgy vape pen exploded in a woman's handbag while she was out shopping.
Mara McInerney was left horrified when the lithium battery in her handbag blew up right in front of her face as she shopped at the Freehold Raceway Mall in New Jersey, US on Sunday.
She told : "I was in a mall, I heard a bang, next thing I know there’s smoke in my face.
"I couldn’t imagine what caused the fire in my purse.
"I thought maybe someone dropped something into my bag. It took me a minute to register. That’s why I dumped everything out. What happened?”
CCTV footage shows Mara standing on the counter of Sunglass Hut speaking to the shop assistant, when plumes of black smoke begin emerging from her bag.
The cashier runs away to safety while a startled Mara steps back before grabbing her bag and throwing it on the floor.
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Describing the dramatic scene, Mara said: "The bag was in flames. When you saw me moving my hands my fingertips were burned.
"I was trying to put out the flames because everyone ran out of the store. I really don’t blame them."
According to , the battery damaged all the items in her purse.
Moments later plumes of black smoke begin to billow out of her bag on the counter
Now Mara, who is a mum-of-one, wants to raise awareness to other vape users to warn them that it could happen to them.
She added: "Just knowing that I have my child and my bag in the back seat; my daughter is in the car seat next to it. It’s scary and it could happen to anyone."
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