Vape pen may have caused Florida house fire - TomoNews
- 6 years ago
ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA — Florida authorities are investigating the death of a man whose body was found at home Saturday by firefighters after a vape pen apparently exploded in his face.
Tampa media WTFS TV reported that the police department got a call at 9:42 a.m. about a house fire. When they arrived, they found heavy smoke inside the house and the body of 38-year-old Tallamadge D'Elia.[c]
D'Elia was found with severe facial injuries, believed to be a result of his vape pen exploding near his face. The fire department also suspected the explosion caused the fire.
The fire department said explosions can happen if the e-cig's lithium battery overheats and combusts, causing pieces of debris and shrapnel to fly.
A FEMA[d] report from 2000 to 2016 shows there were nearly 200 vape pen explosions, of which 29 percent of the victims suffered severe injuries. This incident could be the first vape pen death.
Authorities expect to determine an official cause of death by early this week.
Tampa media WTFS TV reported that the police department got a call at 9:42 a.m. about a house fire. When they arrived, they found heavy smoke inside the house and the body of 38-year-old Tallamadge D'Elia.[c]
D'Elia was found with severe facial injuries, believed to be a result of his vape pen exploding near his face. The fire department also suspected the explosion caused the fire.
The fire department said explosions can happen if the e-cig's lithium battery overheats and combusts, causing pieces of debris and shrapnel to fly.
A FEMA[d] report from 2000 to 2016 shows there were nearly 200 vape pen explosions, of which 29 percent of the victims suffered severe injuries. This incident could be the first vape pen death.
Authorities expect to determine an official cause of death by early this week.