- *** WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT ***
A builder suffered second-degree burns after his vape battery ‘exploded in his pocket’ and his shorts went up in flames in West Yorkshire.
Dave Johnson, 41, from Colne, was carrying a paving stone to a customer’s home on September 25 when he claimed the loose rechargeable vape battery in his pocket had ‘shorted’ to his keys.
The father-of-two said he heard a fizzing sound, similar to a fireworks rocket, moments before it exploded and nine-inch-high flames burst from his pocket and engulfed his right leg.
Mr Johnson’s excruciating screams were heard by his business partner, who rushed him to Airedale Hospital in Steeton, West Yorkshire, within 20 minutes.
The doctors managed to scrape off the scorched flesh and bandage his leg.
Dave Johnson, 41, from Colne, suffered second-degree burns after his vape battery ‘exploded’
He was initially treated at Airedale Hospital but was subsequently hospitalized at Wythenshawe Hospital in Greater Manchester after his wound became infected.
Doctors provided pain relief and managed to scrape off the scorched flesh and bandage his leg at Airedale Hospital in Steeton
The accident happened when the loose rechargeable vape battery in his pocket ‘shorted’ his keys on September 25
However, the giant 30cm patch of red, rough skin became infected shortly afterwards and Mr Johnson has to be admitted to Wythenshawe Hospital in Greater Manchester for six days.
He was given IV antibiotics to address the infection and had to wait nervously to see if he needed a skin graft.
Mr Johnson said: ‘Luckily I didn’t have to have surgery on my leg.’
He continued, “I used to smoke and then turned to vaping to get rid of smoking.
‘I did it for my health, I smoked twenty a day, it’s the better of both evils.
“I was carrying some brick street flags from my van.
‘I brought a fully charged e-cigarette battery and it was in my pocket with my keys. I normally leave spare batteries in the van.
“It short-circuited my keys in my pocket and exploded.
‘I heard a fizzing sound, almost like a firework rocket going off, and then felt the pain.
‘The pain in my right leg was unbearable, like putting your hand in water that was way too hot.
‘I knew straight away it had done damage.
Mr Johnson is urging vape users to never carry batteries in their pockets
Mr Johnson ditched his 20 cigarettes a day habit by vaping two years ago
Mr Johnson is now back home to carry out his wish and is happy he will not have to undergo a skin transplant
“I dropped the flag and saw flames shooting out of my pocket – the flames coming out of my leg eight to eight inches.
‘At first I tried to put my hand in to get it out, but I couldn’t. It ended up burning a hole in my shorts and falling to the floor.”
‘Because my partner is a hospital nurse, I was fortunately able to do my dressings at home with her help.
Now Mr Johnson is urging vape users to never carry batteries in their pockets.
He said: ‘I’m fine, it’s just a matter of waiting for it to heal.
‘It wasn’t the actual e-cigarette that caused this, it was the incorrect transportation of the battery.
‘I still vape, but I don’t have any batteries in my pocket anymore.
“I would say to people, be careful and be aware that this can happen.”