Inside home ravaged by fire sparked by an exploding e-cigarette which almost killed owner
A family photo is among the only possessions to have survived the fire, which destroyed the home in Wirral
A CHARRED sofa, blackened walls, gutted rooms and a destroyed wall demonstrate what happened after an e-cigarette exploded and started a ferocious fire.
This family home in Wirral was almost totally burnt down as a fire ripped through it after the cigarette left on charge started the blaze.
A family photograph was the only thing which escaped the fire - which left the walls blackened and unrecognisable.
The man who lives there was only woken up by his dog, after which they both managed to escape.
Walls, mattresses, the floors and ceilings have been seriously damaged.
The photos which show the trial of terrifying destruction, were released by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, which warned the fire could have been deadly.
Incident investigator Jo Stephens said: “E-cigarettes are becoming increasingly popular and it’s very important that people know how to charge them safely.
“This gentleman was very lucky that this fire did not claim his life; unfortunately he suffered slight smoke inhalation and the property was damaged by fire and smoke, but things could have been a lot worse.
“We would urge people never to leave their e-cigarette on charge while they are asleep or away from the house, and to always read the safety advice enclosed in the packaging.
"Our advice for e-cigarettes is the same as for many smaller electrical appliances such as mobile phones and laptops; don’t be tempted to buy cheap, unbranded chargers, don’t leave them to charge whilst you are out of the house or asleep and keep them well away from combustible materials.”
Top tips from the fire service:
• Never leave e-cigarettes on charge unattended for long periods of time.
• Do not mix components of different e-cigarettes.
• Only use the charger supplied with your device.
• Ensure you purchase your e-cigarette and charger from a reputable source.
• Check the e-cigarette carries CE certification.
• Test your smoke alarm regularly.
• Contact Trading Standards over any e-cigarette safety concerns.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368.