A terrifying incident left a mother-of-three fearing for her life when her rechargeable vape allegedly exploded in her coat pocket while she was sitting in a friend's car. Kerrie Roberts, 52, from Essex, experienced this harrowing event on October 19th last year. She described the explosion as "like a firework going off in the car," initially not knowing what had caused it. The battery, she claims, burnt through her pocket and exploded, causing the car seat to ignite and the battery to continue melting through the vehicle as it remained hot.

Ms. Roberts initially believed the stationary car was malfunctioning and about to set alight, but her suspicions quickly shifted when she realized she was the source of the inferno. She promptly jumped out of the car and rolled on the ground to extinguish the flames that had engulfed her. She recounted, "I had a brand-new coat and dress on and I realised it was me that was on fire."

The explosion left Ms. Roberts with severe burns on her right thigh, which began to bubble and form blisters. Horrifying photos reveal large holes in her new coat, dress, and a section of her friend's car seat, which reportedly cost £300 to replace. Seeking immediate medical attention, she rushed to The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow.

At the hospital, Ms. Roberts, who is the CEO of a homeless charity, received an IV drip, had her blisters popped, and her leg was bandaged. Fortunately, she will not require a skin graft. After silver dressing was applied to the burn, blood flow returned to the affected area, indicating that her body will heal naturally. She is now under strict instructions to keep her burns out of the sun for two years and moisturize the wounds up to four times a day for a full recovery.

Ms. Roberts, who had been vaping for a decade and using this specific type of rechargeable vape for three years, believed it to be the "safest option." The incident has profoundly impacted her, making her scared to fly after recalling she had the same battery on a plane just a week prior. "It would have been so scary [if this happened on a plane]. I'm scared to go on a plane now," she stated. She also expressed fear that the entire car might have caught fire, relieved they were on a quiet road near a garage rather than a busy thoroughfare.

Since the traumatic experience, Ms. Roberts has quit vaping entirely, opting for a resistance breather as an alternative. She is now vehemently warning others against keeping vapes in their pockets or close to their body. She emphasized her luck that the vape wasn't in her trouser pocket, noting that her padded coat and layers provided some protection. She also cautioned against leaving vapes in car pockets where children might be present.

This incident occurs amidst a significant rise in vaping across Britain. Approximately one in ten adults are now estimated to use these nicotine-infused devices. According to 2024 data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published last November, 5.4 million adults in Britain vape daily, surpassing the 4.9 million daily cigarette smokers. This marks a concerning trend where vaping has overtaken traditional smoking.

Furthermore, the situation among children is particularly alarming. Disposable vapes, with their bright colours, sweet flavours, and sleek designs, appear to be marketed to appeal to teenagers, despite manufacturers' claims. Social media platforms, especially TikTok, are amplifying this issue by normalizing vaping as fashionable and cool, while experts continue to warn of potential health dangers from the chemicals, solvents, sweeteners, and flavourings found in e-cigarettes.