Kent father feared his home would burn down after charging vape caused fire

A father-of-three from Kent feared his home would burn down after a charging vape caused a fire.

Richard Dannaher got a call from a neighbour to say his house was on fire on 7 September.

Mr Dannaher, his wife Natalie, and their teenage son Jack, rushed back to their St Mary’s Island home, to find four fire engines already there. 

Mr Dannaher said: “It’s a call you never think you’re going to get.

“I was an emotional wreck, in complete shock and disbelief, and I burst into tears.”

Crews wearing breathing apparatus found the fire had been contained to Jack's bedroom because the door was shut.

The fire is believed to have started after electrical items left on charge, including a vape, overheated, and caused a pile of clothes to catch alight.

Mr Dannaher said: “Jack’s room is black, and his belongings are damaged or burnt beyond recognition. But most importantly, we’re all safe and ok.

“There’s no doubt the rest of our home was saved because of the door and our smoke alarms, which alerted our neighbours to call 999. Thankfully, our other two children weren’t home at the time. 

“I will now tell everyone - close your internal doors before going out or going to bed and make sure your smoke alarms are working.”

The family has now vowed to only charge gadgets when they’re at home and awake, and to unplug them as soon as they’re fully charged. 

He added: “There’s so many things that need charging these days and we just assume they’re safe. I hope by sharing our experience, it will encourage others to check they’ve switched electrical items off.”

Matt Deadman, Assistant Director for Response at Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) said: “We commend Richard and his family for routinely closing internal doors at home – it’s such a simple thing that can hold smoke and flames back for between ten and 30 minutes.

“While our crews did a fantastic job bringing the fire under control, the Dannaher family ultimately saved their own home.

“This incident is also a reminder for everyone to take care with rechargeable gadgets containing lithium-ion batteries - like mobile phones, laptops, vapes and e-scooters or e-bikes. Often, they are safe, but if a lithium-ion battery is damaged or stored incorrectly, there’s a chance it could overheat, catch fire, or explode.”

The fire service is urging residents to buy good-quality items from trusted retailers to prevent fires from starting. It also suggests only charging devices when at home and awake and unplugging them once they have finished charging.

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