A charging vape sparked a devastating house fire which completely destroyed a bedroom. Emergency services say the residents will be unable to stay in the property for 'some time' after the blaze.
The incident occurred earlier this week in Essex after a vape was left unattended whilst charging and overheated. The device then caught the bedding and mattress alight and subsequently sent the whole room into flames, according to Essex County Fire and Rescue (ECFR).
The emergency services were called to the scene of the fire at roughly 1:40pm on November 15 to tackle the flames. Four different fire crews from Maldon, Witham, Chelmsford, and Colchester were sent to the house, reports Essex Live.
Upon their arrival they discovered the property's first floor was full of smoke and the bedroom was full of flames. Firefighters managed to battle the blaze but ECFRS confirmed the fire caused extensive damage to the house.
So much so that the residents will not be able to live there for some time, as a lot of repair damage needs to undertaken. Watch Manager Martin Cable, Maldon Fire Station, said: "Incidents like this show how important it is to think about how you should charge your electrical items safely.
"We advise that you only use a reputable charger, and not a cheap alternative which are often not tested or conform to safety standards.
"We also urge people not to leave any electrical items charging unattended and to place the items on a fire resistant surface, not a bed or sofa which are much more flammable."
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