A man’s leg has suffered a horrific incident after the battery of his e-cigarette burst into flames in his pocket. The victim, Robert Kane, aged 37, likened the pain to having his leg placed in an oven, as the corrosive battery acid burnt through his thigh and lower leg. He now warns fellow vapers that they could be carrying a dangerous item in their pockets, calling it a potential ‘ticking time bomb’. Graphic images of Mr. Kane’s injuries starkly illustrate the severity of the damage inflicted.
Kane, who had switched from traditional cigarettes to e-cigarettes as part of a health initiative, was out shopping with his daughter when his jeans suddenly started ‘fizzing and sparking like a firework’ outside a store in Baguley, Wythenshawe. His traumatic experience led him to file a lawsuit against the vape shop where he had purchased the e-cigarette, resulting in over £20,000 in compensation. Despite his e-cigarette usage beginning as an attempt to quit smoking, the unforeseen incident scarred him for life and drove him back to traditional cigarettes.
Describing the explosive moment, Kane recalled the sound of a firework igniting, followed by intense burning pain on his leg and the sight of smoke. His quick actions in pulling down his trousers revealed his injuries seeping through the skin, prompting him to seek immediate medical attention. The subsequent hospitalization unveiled the extensive injuries caused by the battery explosion, with medical professionals treating it as one of the most severe cases they had encountered.
During his 12-day stay in the burns unit, Kane endured excruciating pain, necessitating morphine and antibiotics for relief. Refusing skin graft surgery, he underwent a grueling process of skin removal and regeneration while relearning to walk. The recovery phase involved strict limitations on sun exposure and foreign travel for 18 months due to the risk imposed by UV rays.
Concerned about the lack of safety guidance provided at the point of sale, Kane now issues a stern warning to e-cigarette users, advising against carrying batteries in pockets and emphasizing the potential dangers of externally battery-operated vaporisers. Solicitors involved in his compensation claim stressed the importance of e-cigarette retailers offering appropriate safety advice to prevent similar incidents.
Kane’s harrowing experience serves as a cautionary tale, underscoring the unforeseen risks associated with e-cigarettes and the critical importance of proper battery handling and safety precautions.