Family's house burns down in Brighton after charging fume explodes | British news


The fully charged rechargeable vape was left connected to a series of extension cables (Picture: Hannah Boyd/SWNS)

A family's home has been destroyed after a fume explosion exploded.

Hannah Boyd, 37, from BrightonEast Sussex, was preparing dinner when she heard a smoke detector going off upstairs last November.

The mother-of-three and her family, including husband Calum, 39, rushed out of the house after he found a fire in their son's bedroom.

The family's belongings were also destroyed after the fire destroyed the boy's entire bedroom, despite firefighters arriving within six minutes.

The fire was caused by the fully charged rechargeable vapor remaining connected to a series of extension cords.

Hannah wants to raise awareness about safe battery charging and said: 'I initially thought the beeping was our new smart meter, which beeps a lot, but luckily Calum went to check it out.

'Halfway up the stairs he smelled smoke and when he opened our son's door he saw the leaping flames.

'He shouted “there's a fire, get away, get away!”


Hannah, 37 and her husband Calum, 39. A family lost their home after an exploding vapor caused a bedroom fire. Mum-of-three Hannah Boyd, 37, was preparing dinner for her family when she was interrupted by the smoke detector upstairs. Her husband, Calum, 39, jumped up from watching TV to discover a fire in their son's bedroom. The family ran out of the house with their four dogs in tow. Once safely outside, Hannah called the fire brigade and the fire brigade arrived within six minutes.
Hannah and Calum were in temporary accommodation after the fire (Photo: Hannah Boyd/SWNS)

Damage to Hannah's house after an exploding vapor caused a fire. A family lost their home after an exploding vapor caused a fire in the bedroom. Mum-of-three Hannah Boyd, 37, was preparing dinner for her family when she was interrupted by the smoke detector upstairs. Her husband, Calum, 39, jumped up from watching TV to discover a fire in their son's bedroom. The family ran out of the house with their four dogs in tow. Once safely outside, Hannah called the fire brigade and the fire brigade arrived within six minutes.
The family's kitchen is completely burnt out (Photo: Hannah Boyd/SWNS)

'Luckily he closed the door again, otherwise, the fire brigade said, the whole house would have been on fire.

“It was terrifying and devastating for us.

'I never thought something like this could happen in my home, but it did and it all happened so quickly.

'We are very vigilant and careful, we don't burn candles or anything like that.

'I remember standing there watching our house burn. I think I still feel the shock of it.

'We just want to warn other people so that this doesn't happen to them.

“Firefighters said the vapor exploded, causing a series of mini fires that all merged into one large one.

'So many people leave things to charge on soft surfaces, you never think it will happen to you, but it is really dangerous.'


Damage to Hannah's house after an exploding vapor caused a fire. A family lost their home after an exploding vapor caused a fire in the bedroom. Mum-of-three Hannah Boyd, 37, was preparing dinner for her family when she was interrupted by the smoke detector upstairs. Her husband, Calum, 39, jumped up from watching TV to discover a fire in their son's bedroom. The family ran out of the house with their four dogs in tow. Once safely outside, Hannah called the fire brigade and the fire brigade arrived within six minutes.
The family now lives in a new permanent home (Picture: Hannah Boyd/SWNS)

The fire was so hot it melted the smoke detector outside the bedroom and destroyed family heirlooms and gifts.

They were given temporary housing that became permanent after spending two weeks with friends and a month in a hotel.

Hannah said the family had no home insurance.

A spokesperson for West Sussex Fire & Rescue said: 'The fire appeared to be caused by an overcharged vape battery.

'Rechargeable devices containing lithium-ion batteries, such as vapes, can overheat if overcharged.

'This is an uncontrollable event that produces large quantities of highly toxic, flammable fumes within seconds before igniting.

'To help prevent fires in your home, ensure that electronic devices are charged on a flat, firm and stable surface, away from flammable materials.

'Do not leave them unattended or charging overnight and always unplug the charger when the device has finished charging.

'Never overload an extension cord by plugging in too many appliances or chargers. This could cause the electrical outlet plug to overheat and cause a fire.

'Use only one extension cord per outlet and never plug one extension cord into another.'

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